MLBPA Exec Dir Donald Fehr said yesterday that there is
almost no chance of another strike this season. Fehr: "The
primary need we have is consumer based. It's fan based. We have
our own difficulties with one another, but we have to find a way
to subordinate those." Fehr said the attitude on both sides is
more towards "problem solving than it is toward confrontation"
(DETROIT FREE PRESS, 6/27).
WE'RE MARKETABLE, HONEST: MLB players are "envious" of the
NBA's marketing of their athletes, according to Alan Truex of the
HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Braves' Greg Maddux: "We've seen the NBA, how
they've marketed their players. If we could get Nike, Reebok,
and Wilson to market baseball players like they do the NBA
players that would help." But Truex notes that "baseball seems
the only sport in which complaints are constantly heard about
players stiffing the public. ... Ballplayers won't be loved by
America unless they make themselves more lovable ... The shoe
companies and TV networks won't do it for them" (HOUSTON
CHRONICLE, 6/25).
A START? MLB and the MLBPA will join to conduct a
memorabilia auction to benefit youth baseball organizations
throughout North America. The auction will take place July 10 at
the All-Star Fan Fest (MLB).
