CBA Signals New Era Of Harmony Between MLB, Union
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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).
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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).
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