MLB Commissioner Bud Selig's formation of a task force
to study MLB's economics "started sounding the war drums for
what could lead to a lockout in February 2002," according to
Joe Capozzi of the PALM BEACH POST. Capozzi: "There was an
unspoken sense of urgency that baseball may be headed for
some type of armageddon-like showdown with the player's
union when the new agreement expires after the 2001 season"
(PALM BEACH POST, 1/15). Selig, after announcing the "Blue
Ribbon Task Force on Baseball Economics" at the meetings: "I
don't think we can take another work stoppage" (WASHINGTON
POST, 1/15). The task force will be Vice-Chaired by Rockies
Owner Jerry McMorris and Red Sox CEO John Harrington and
includes 11 other MLB officials (MIAMI HERALD, 1/15). The
AP's Richard Blum writes that "notably missing" from the
list are reps from "many of baseball's biggest spenders: The
Orioles, Yankees and Dodgers" (AP, 1/15). In Miami, Mike
Phillips writes that at the owners' meetings, "there was a
feeling the dark ages are just around the corner." D'Backs
Managing General Partner Jerry Colangelo said "there needs
to be limitation" in either player salaries or team payroll.
Former Marlins Owner Wayne Huizenga: "They have to have a
hard (salary) cap." Phillips: "Baseball is in trouble, and
the owners know it" (MIAMI HERALD, 1/15).
STILL THE ONE: USA TODAY's Hal Bodley reports that
"unless there's a dramatic change before opening day," the
Orioles "will again" have MLB's top payroll, with their '99
payroll at $73M with 19 players signed. Rounding out the
top five: Yankees, $68.6M (with 18 players under contract);
Braves, $68.4M (19 players); Indians, $65.6M (19 players);
and Dodgers, $62.5M (17 players) (USA TODAY, 1/15).
