THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 30, 1994 TAG: 9407300421
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
On a decent run toward a playoff spot in the International League's West Division, the Tides could be less than two weeks away from receiving some significant reinforcements for a final push.
If that coincides suspiciously with the strike deadline set by the major league players, it's no accident.
Aside from likely regional or national cable TV telecasts that could result from a strike, the return of some of the Mets' most promising young players looms as the most significant fallout upon the Tides.
A cavalry of perhaps Jeromy Burnitz, Jason Jacome, Fernando Vina and Rico Brogna could arrive within days of the Aug. 12 strike date should the Mets decide to keep them playing through a work stoppage. Anyone sent down, of course, would be paid to the terms of their minor league contract.
The Mets, however, would have to replenish their roster to at least 24 players, which could result in the promotion of a some minor leaguers just in time to walk out on a much-needed paycheck.
Mets manager Dallas Green has been quoted as in favor of shipping some youngsters out before a strike. But as an organization, the Mets ``haven't made any decision about who, if anybody, we would try to send down,'' Gerry Hunsicker, the Mets' assistant vice president of baseball operations, said Friday at Harbor Park.
``Obviously we would like our younger players to play as much as possible. It certainly hurts the younger players more than the veterans because the younger players are obviously trying to develop and establish themselves. But we just haven't come to any conclusions.''
Players on the major league disabled list cannot come off during a strike and play in the minors, Hunsicker said. If they are in the minors on a rehabilitation assignment before a strike, they must stop playing when their big league brethren walk.
Though Tides manager Bobby Valentine wouldn't refuse the chance to add the lefthanded bats of Brogna and Burnitz to his lineup or send Jacome out for a couple of starts through the season's last three weeks, he isn't crossing off the days on his calendar.
``I don't think that's going to happen,'' Valentine said. ``That's just a gut feeling.''
What probably will happen is the Tides will turn up on WWOR-TV or Sports Channel, to replace the usual Mets coverage. Appearances on ESPN are possible, as well. The Tides have a three-game home series against Columbus, the other New York affiliate, August 15-17 that could be particulartly attractive to TV. Tides general manager Dave Rosenfield has had light discussion with Mets vice president of broadcasting Mike Ryan about televising the Tides. ESPN's manager of programming information Diane Lamb, however, was evasive about her operation's strike plans.
``There's been a lot written about us doing Triple-A and minor league baseball, but we haven't confirmed or denied anything,'' Lamb told the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Friday.
Mostly, games would proceed as usual. The Tides have 11 home dates scheduled after Aug. 12. Tides president Ken Young said he hasn't considered any special promotions in case of a strike, though if a game was televised, Young said he might take steps to assure a full house. ``Just so the viewers around the country can see the place at its best,'' Young said.
An interesting accompanying issue to a strike is the ``war chest'' that would be dipped into by striking players. Accumulated from the withholding of a percentage of licensing money over the length of the most recent Basic Agreement - the last four years - portions of the fund would go to each person who had money put aside, whether or not they are currently in the major leagues.
Any Tide who has been in the big leagues since 1991, for example, will receive a stipend in relation to what they had withheld, according to Valentine. As a big league manager and coach over the last four seasons, he will receive checks from his reserve, which for full-time major leaguers could be as much as $200,000, Valentine said.
Drawing from smaller pools will be Doug Dascenzo, Frank Seminara, Eric Hillman, Dave Telgheder, Joe Kmak, etc, in lesser proportions because of their limited time in the majors.
As long as they remain Tides, those players will also receive their minor league salaries, Valentine said. But if any of them are unlucky enough to be brought up to replace youngsters who have been sent down, their paltry strike funds are all they'll get.
Mark Belanger, a special assistant to Donald Fehr, the general counsel for the Player's Association, said in an interview that how the so-called strike fund is dispersed is confidential. Though Belanger added that ``everybody will be taken care of,'' Valentine wasn't so sure.
Players brought up before the strike, Valentine surmised, will be ``out of luck. That's the way it goes. No one's donating their dollars to people who don't have any in that situation.'' by CNB