MLB owners returned to court yesterday seeking an appeal of
the injunction that ended the 232-day strike. "From all
indications, they will not be successful," writes Mike Shalin in
this morning's BOSTON HERALD. Owners were represented by UVA law
professor Douglas Leslie. The judges didn't "hammer" Leslie the
way they did previous counsel Frank Casey, but "they asked him
about 20 questions and made several comments that made it clear
they couldn't understand his argument" (BOSTON HERALD, 5/12).
Earlier in the day, attorneys for the owners and players held
their second meeting to discuss "a possible settlement of the
NLRB complaints against the clubs," according to Murray Chass of
the N.Y. TIMES. The owners are to let the players' know if they
want to continue talks or proceed with a trial before an
administrative law judge May 22 (N.Y. TIMES, 5/12).
IS JASPAN ON THE WAY UP? The owners had seven lawyers
beside Leslie in court, including Tribune Co. lawyer Robert
Ballow, Jerry Reinsdorf, and Stan Jaspan of the Milwaukee-based
firm of Foley & Larnder. Jaspan is "emerging as a favorite" of
acting Commissioner Bud Selig, and is "active in talks with the
players aimed at heading off a May 22 trial" (Mike Shalin, BOSTON
HERALD, 5/12).
