MLB owners will meet in Chicago Tuesday and ESPN's Karl
Ravech reported a source close to the talks "believes the
sentiment is now strong enough" that owners will vote "in
favor" of the proposed agreement ("SportsCenter," ESPN,
11/22). A "high-ranking" club official told Murray Chass of
the N.Y. TIMES there will be a another vote on the deal and
"we're hearing we're going to get a deal." Another
ownership source: "There's a real buzz that this thing is
going to happen" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/23). In Philadelphia, Sam
Carchidi notes sources close to the talks indicate there may
be enough votes to approve a deal, but White Sox Owner Jerry
Reinsdorf and, an "unlikely ally," Orioles Owner Peter
Angelos, "still contend the settlement is not in the best
interest of the industry." Angelos, who earlier was seen as
favoring a deal, has "expressed strong reservations" on a
luxury tax. But one large-market owner who will vote
against a deal said Acting Commissioner Bud Selig "probably
has the votes," adding "Why call a meeting unless you're
going to reverse course?" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 11/24).
In Boston, Peter Gammons notes it is "likely" a deal will be
approved, as Brewer and Red Sox personnel "have been told to
expect one" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/24).
DETAILS: Reinsdorf, on speculation he is killing an
agreement to keep his pitcher, Alex Fernandez, from becoming
a free agent: "I long ago agreed on service time. It has not
been a major issue, not for the last two or three months.
... I have pushed for the payroll and luxury tax, but I want
it to affect more than five clubs. It's not strong enough.
The proof of that is [MLBPA Exec Dir] Donald Fehr wants the
tax eliminated in the last two years ... If it's such a good
thing, why does he want it for only the first three years?"
(Jerome Holtzman, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/25). In New York,
Mike Lupica: "Does anybody really believe that once Donald
Fehr gets a luxury tax off the table three years down the
road, it would ever get back on?" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/24).
A's President Sandy Alderson, whose team would be helped by
revenue sharing, but hurt by service time: "It may be a
situation where no labor deal is suicide and a labor deal is
assisted suicide" (Mel Antonen, USA TODAY, 11/25).
REAX: Media reaction continued on Reinsdorf's signing
of Albert Belle to a five-year, $55M deal and its impact on
a labor deal. ESPN's Dick Schaap's "advice" to MLB owners:
"Don't get mad at Jerry Reinsdorf. Get even. Approve the
labor agreement ... Raise the luxury tax and make sure it
applies to all deals made after November 1, 1996. Reinsdorf
has outwitted you all, which doesn't seem to be terribly
difficult. ... Now you can call his bet, raise him back,
and, for a change, demonstrate a little talent and
knowledge" ("SportsWeekly," ESPN, 11/24). ESPN's Bob Ryan:
"This is Jerry Reinsdorf's last stand to see if anybody in
Chicago cares about baseball." ESPN's Mike Lupica: "He's a
public hypocrite. He now finances the system that he has
done everything else to destroy" ("The Sports Reporters,"
ESPN, 11/24). In Montreal, Jeff Blair on Expos President
Claude Brochu: "Brochu often talks about the game needing a
partnership with its players. Let's see the owners scrounge
up one among themselves, first" (MONTREAL GAZETTE, 11/24).
