CBA Signals New Era Of Harmony Between MLB, Union

Fehr (l) And Selig (r) Appear On Fox’ World Series Pregame

In an interview with MLB Commissioner Bud Selig and MLBPA Exec Dir Don Fehr before World Series Game Three last night, Fox’ Ken Rosenthal said, “Given the history (between the league and union), someone suggested the early conclusion to these negotiations is a bigger upset than the Tigers beating the Yankees. How did it happen?” Selig: “We had a spirit of cooperation working with the Players’ Association. This whole situation was handled so gracefully (and) very professionally. It’s a great day for baseball.” Fehr added, “We’ve developed over the last several years much more of a day-by-day working relationship. ... More importantly, the parties approached bargaining this time with the notion that you have to respect each other’s needs and interests” (Fox, 10/24). More Fehr: “The approach to bargaining was very workmanlike, very pragmatic. There was a shared desire to get this done by about the time of the World Series” (USA TODAY, 10/25).

MANAGEMENT REAX: Pirates Managing General Partner Kevin McClatchy said, “There is a better relationship between the owners and the players –- by far -– than there had been. There’s more trust. Before, there were people trying to sabotage the (negotiations). There used to be a ton of leaks” (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 10/25). Angels Owner Arte Moreno: “We’ve reached a point where we have a true partnership with the players’ association. I think everybody’s happy” (L.A. TIMES, 10/25). Nationals President Stan Kasten added, “I really didn’t think we’d ever have a day when it was like this” (WASHINGTON POST, 10/25). Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski: “The industry is thriving. It’s doing very well. And it’s good to see that there’s no labor shutout at this point” (MIAMI HERALD, 10/25).

Counsell Says Current Economics Helped Get Deal Done

PLAYER REAX: D’Backs SS and MLB Exec Committee member Craig Counsell said, “In the past, there was a very non-trusting relationship. Both sides were skeptical of each other. The economics of the game are so good now that nobody can complain about it” (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/25). Pirates P and player rep Paul Maholm said, “Both sides wanted to get it done. Neither side wanted it to get into the media. We wanted it to go smoothly and not drag on into December” (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 10/25). Astros 3B and player rep Morgan Ensberg said, “I am surprised the deal was done so early. I think it’s a great sign of how great baseball is right now” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/25).

COLUMNIST REAX: In Milwaukee, Michael Hunt: “Both sides now have something upon which they can agree. It has something to do with $5[B] in revenue and 76 million fans” (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/25). In Hartford, Jeff Jacobs: “When a team is walking the thin financial line, the threat of a work stoppage is chilling. With labor peace, came stability and with stability came teams willing to make financial commitments” (HARTFORD COURANT, 10/25). In DC, Thom Loverro writes, “The old guard that was still angry about having to negotiate with the players is long gone, and replaced by a number of new owners without the baggage of past labor fights” (WASHINGTON TIMES, 10/25). In Toronto, Stephen Brunt wrote, “The prosperity of the past four years, a time during which both sides realized they could learn to live and thrive in a system that remains fundamentally unchanged from the one that just had to be fixed in 1994, is the real key” (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 10/24). In S.F., John Shea writes of Selig and Fehr, “The only thing missing was a hug, and maybe that took place backstage. They’ve become the anti-Bowie Kuhn/Marvin Miller” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 10/25).