Acting MLB Commissioner Bud Selig denied a report in
yesterday's CHICAGO TRIBUNE that owners were ready to fire
management negotiator Randy Levine because they were unhappy over
a proposed labor agreement, according to Tom Haudricourt of the
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. Selig called the report, "not even
worthy of comment." But Haudricourt notes Levine "reportedly
offered to resign during a conference call of the owner's
executive council Wednesday," however he was not asked to step
down. Meanwhile, ownership will meet Wednesday in Chicago to
discuss the proposed labor deal, but one management source told
Haudricourt, "They may not even bring it to a vote" (MILWAUKEE
JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/31). If owners do bring it to a vote,
management moderates tell Mark Maske of the WASHINGTON POST that
the "only certain votes against Levine's settlement will come
from the White Sox, Cubs and Marlins." Management moderates feel
they have 14 to 15 votes for the deal, and one moderate said, "If
Selig supports this deal, it passes with 22 (or) 23 votes"
(WASHINGTON POST, 10/31). In Boston, Will McDonough writes the
proposed deal "stinks for the owners" and it "will not have the
vote to carry" next Wednesday (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/31). In San
Diego, Padres CEO Larry Lucchino calls prospects for a deal "too
close to call." He adds that it has been "a long time since
we've gotten together to debate these issues," and a new CBA
would be "a good idea" (Tom Krasovic, SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE,
10/30).
