Tony Clark, AL Player Rep, Speaks

soxfan121 · 08-27-2002, 12:02 PM

Last night, after the Red Sox-Angels thrilla, Tony Clark was "in-studio" with the hosts of the postgame show on NESN (Bob Rodgers and former Sox pitcher Jim Corsi).

First off, I like Tony Clark. I think he is an intelligent, compassionate, and understanding man who has never complained or laid blame for his on-field struggles anywhere but at his own door. He is professional, well-spoken, and principled. He is also the AL's Player Rep.

Most of the interview was focused on the labor negotiations. Clark answered every question with a thoughful response. He spent time explaining the union opposition to a minimum salary, the luxury tax thresholds, the revenue sharing distribution percentages, the "cycle" of franchise success and failures, the union stance on drug testing, a worldwide draft, and actually had some kind words about Rob Manfred (shocking, I know.)

However, (and this is the newsworthy part) when Rodgers asked if the union may be willing to back off the strike date "if significant progress has been made, and one or two details remain to be finalized". Clark indicated that the union will NOT backoff the strike date, regardless of how close they are to a deal. Rodgers followed up with a question about "how close would you [the union] have to be to delay or cancel the strike?" Clark responded that the "union would need to have an agreement in principle on all issues."

In addition, Clark was asked if any of the "outside concerns" (read: September 11th) were going to affect the union's strike plans. Clark stated that "this is business" and the union cannot allow emotional concerns to affect business negotiations. Very disheartening.

So, based on what I heard, the union is sticking firm to the August 30th date and will not deter from that course, even in deference to "emotional concerns" such as September 11th. The deal would need to be DONE for them not to walk out on Friday.

Come Friday, the mighty game of baseball will have struck out.

sweaver · 08-27-2002, 12:09 PM

As far as negotiating a contract, they can't proceed any other way. Owners are already coming out and saying publicly they don't believe the players will strike. So far, none of them seem to have been fined $1 mil, however.

KCBOOMER · 08-27-2002, 12:16 PM

Three days to Armageddon.

Skip · 08-27-2002, 12:41 PM

Tick freakin' tock.

SmedIndy · 08-27-2002, 01:01 PM

If the players bend and sway a bit, the owners will pounce.

The owners should understand the players won't be swayed.

Get the damn thing done.

qtlaw · 08-27-2002, 01:43 PM

Clark's response was the only one which could be made, otherwise he/union would be perceived to have been waffling and not committed to the strike date set. His kind words to Manfred are heartening but may be more a reflection of himself than the status of negotiations. Good to hear though that the parties have foregone media posturing and are back meeting.

08-27-2002, 12:02 PM	#1
soxfan121 Renounced Membership 7/9/03 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Live Free Or Die, USA Posts: 1,335	Tony Clark, AL Player Rep, Speaks Last night, after the Red Sox-Angels thrilla, Tony Clark was "in-studio" with the hosts of the postgame show on NESN (Bob Rodgers and former Sox pitcher Jim Corsi). First off, I like Tony Clark. I think he is an intelligent, compassionate, and understanding man who has never complained or laid blame for his on-field struggles anywhere but at his own door. He is professional, well-spoken, and principled. He is also the AL's Player Rep. Most of the interview was focused on the labor negotiations. Clark answered every question with a thoughful response. He spent time explaining the union opposition to a minimum salary, the luxury tax thresholds, the revenue sharing distribution percentages, the "cycle" of franchise success and failures, the union stance on drug testing, a worldwide draft, and actually had some kind words about Rob Manfred (shocking, I know.) However, (and this is the newsworthy part) when Rodgers asked if the union may be willing to back off the strike date "if significant progress has been made, and one or two details remain to be finalized". Clark indicated that the union will NOT backoff the strike date, regardless of how close they are to a deal. Rodgers followed up with a question about "how close would you [the union] have to be to delay or cancel the strike?" Clark responded that the "union would need to have an agreement in principle on all issues." In addition, Clark was asked if any of the "outside concerns" (read: September 11th) were going to affect the union's strike plans. Clark stated that "this is business" and the union cannot allow emotional concerns to affect business negotiations. Very disheartening. So, based on what I heard, the union is sticking firm to the August 30th date and will not deter from that course, even in deference to "emotional concerns" such as September 11th. The deal would need to be DONE for them not to walk out on Friday. Come Friday, the mighty game of baseball will have struck out.

08-27-2002, 12:16 PM	#3
KCBOOMER NetShrine All-Century Team Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Home of the T-Bones Posts: 11,116	Three days to Armageddon. __________________ KCBOOMER *Buck O'Neil: The Monarch of Baseball*

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08-27-2002, 12:09 PM	#2
sweaver Netshrine Cleanup Hitter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Mountain State Posts: 8,883	As far as negotiating a contract, they can't proceed any other way. Owners are already coming out and saying publicly they don't believe the players will strike. So far, none of them seem to have been fined $1 mil, however.

08-27-2002, 12:41 PM	#4
Skip NetShrine Vagabond Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Louisville Posts: 7,866	Tick freakin' tock.

08-27-2002, 01:01 PM	#5
SmedIndy NetShrine's Historian Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Zionsville, IN Posts: 10,569	If the players bend and sway a bit, the owners will pounce. The owners should understand the players won't be swayed. Get the damn thing done.

08-27-2002, 01:43 PM	#6
qtlaw Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: El Cerrito, CA Posts: 668	Clark's response was the only one which could be made, otherwise he/union would be perceived to have been waffling and not committed to the strike date set. His kind words to Manfred are heartening but may be more a reflection of himself than the status of negotiations. Good to hear though that the parties have foregone media posturing and are back meeting.

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