ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, December 6, 1996 TAG: 9612060032
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
Major-league players made it official Thursday: Baseball will have labor peace through 2000.
By a unanimous vote, player representatives approved a contract that ends a bitter four-year feud - one that prompted a strike and cost the game millions of dollars, as well as millions of fans.
``It's sad that it took us four years to come to this,'' said the Minnesota Twins' Paul Molitor. ``Now that it's done and no one is doing cartwheels, that's what tells you what agreements are all about - finding middle ground.''
After several days of near round-the-clock work by lawyers for both sides, players ratified the deal at their annual executive board meeting in Dorado, Puerto Rico.
``With this unfortunate period behind us, my fellow players and I can once again focus on the game on the field,'' said New York Yankees pitcher David Cone, the American League player representative. ``We are confident that baseball's best days lie ahead.''
Owners approved the proposal Nov.26, three weeks after they initially rejected it. In between, acting commissioner Bud Selig realized he couldn't obtain additional concessions, and Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf signed free-agent outfielder Albert Belle to a record $55 million, five-year deal, angering some owners who were seeking greater salary restraints.
``I guess I should thank Albert Belle, shouldn't I?'' said Florida's Bobby Bonilla. ``Who says he doesn't do community service?''
Twelve players, including Alex Fernandez, Moises Alou and Jimmy Key, gained free-agent rights with the deal, and they likely will be allowed to start negotiating with all teams Saturday.
``It's essential to let these guys get on the market as soon as possible,'' Cone said. ``They have already been damaged. These guys are frozen.''
The union agreed to permit interleague play on an experimental basis in 1997 and 1998. Originally, the deal gave permission for interleague play in 1997 only. However, approval of interleague play in 1998 was contingent on retaining the limit of up to 16 interleague games per team. If owners want to increase that number in 1998, they would have to allow the designated hitter in all interleague games, not just the ones in AL ballparks.
Interleague play, the first during the regular season since the major leagues began forming in 1871, will start June 12, when the four National League West Division teams visit the four AL West teams.
Owners plan to add Phoenix to the NL and Tampa Bay to AL in 1998, and say the creation of two 15-team leagues may necessitate up to 30 interleague games per team.
LENGTH: Medium: 55 linesby CNB