Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner was "officially
suspended" from MLB's Executive Council on Tuesday, "but
that body stopped short of banning" the Yankees owner from
MLB, according to Tom Haudricourt of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL
SENTINEL. The unanimous vote of 9-0 was taken against
Steinbrenner in response to a lawsuit brought by his club
and adidas against MLB. Acting Commissioner Bud Selig:
"This is sad, and it's too bad. ... All of us recognize our
responsibilities when we come into baseball and while we're
in baseball. We understand we are partners. Most of us
believe very strongly we have a responsibility to act like
partners." Selig declined to reveal details of the
Executive Council's discussions, but one person in the room
said "very angry" comments were made by members of the
Council against the Yankees owner. Along with suspension,
the Yankees were banned from participating on any other
ownership committees (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 5/14).
NO SUSPENSION: Selig said there was no discussion about
suspending Steinbrenner from the game, but NEWSDAY's Jon
Heyman notes that "when asked why that wasn't discussed,
Selig said something that sounded ominous." Selig: "Given
where we are and what's happened so far, we believe this is
the appropriate action at this point in time." Heyman also
notes that because Steinbrenner "only has filed the suit and
not yet served the papers, some owners perceive
Steinbrenner's action as a threat" (NEWSDAY, 5/14).
WILL GEORGE DROP THE SUIT? In N.Y., Bill Madden
reports that according to "high-placed" Yankee sources,
Steinbrenner "already had begun preliminary talks for
dropping the suit." But even if he does, "it may not be
enough to mollify his fellow owners, especially Selig, who
was specifically cited in the suit for mismanagement of his
ballclub." Madden notes it was Selig who brought
Steinbrenner back into MLB's "inner power structure" after
his second suspension in '93. One source close to Selig:
"You can understand why Bud feels he's been stabbed in the
back by George. I don't think Bud's ever been madder with an
owner like he is now with George" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/14).
In N.Y., Claire Smith: "Selig finally realizes the obvious:
Steinbrenner will never change when it comes to zealously
pursuing what he wants" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/14).
QUOTEBOARD: One N.L. member of the Executive Council
told the CHICAGO TRIBUNE's Jerome Holtzman that he didn't
think yesterday's action was "of major consequence," adding,
"Nobody listened to George anyway" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 5/14).
Council member/Rockies Owner Jerry McMorris said the group
discussed Steinbrenner for "about an hour." McMorris:
"There was agreement in the room on that" (N.Y. POST, 5/14).
USA TODAY's Hal Bodley notes the Council is "fully aware"
that its actions are "creating another sideshow for the
sport." Selig: "All of us understand the need to focus this
game back on the field" (USA TODAY, 5/14).
STRIKE TWO: The firm of Cravath, Swaine & Moore will
withdraw from representing Steinbrenner, according to Murray
Chass of the N.Y. TIMES. Cravath's Managing Partner Samuel
Butler: "There's no question we'll not continue to represent
Mr. Steinbrenner in the matter." Butler said one detail
left to be resolved is finding "counsel satisfactory" to
Steinbrenner. Chass writes that Butler "didn't explain the
firm's decision," but that the firm has "long represented"
Time Warner, parent of the Braves, one of the defendants in
the suit (N.Y. TIMES, 5/14).
