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For MLB teams chasing October glory, building a bullpen is a vital — and confounding — exercise
Read full article: For MLB teams chasing October glory, building a bullpen is a vital — and confounding — exerciseFor a World Series that was supposed to feature an epic battle between sluggers Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, guys like Mark Leiter Jr., Luke Weaver, Alex Vesia and Anthony Banda sure got a lot of face time.
Robot umpire challenge system could be tested next spring training, 2026 regular-season use possible
Read full article: Robot umpire challenge system could be tested next spring training, 2026 regular-season use possibleMajor League Baseball could test robot umpires as part of a challenge system in spring training next year, which could lead to regular-season use in 2026.
Average game time drops 1 minute to 2:36 in second season of MLB pitch clock
Read full article: Average game time drops 1 minute to 2:36 in second season of MLB pitch clockThe average time of a nine-inning game is 2 hours, 36 minutes through the first full month of the major league season, down 1 minute from 2023 in the second year of the pitch clock.
Players' union head blames quicker pitch clock after series of pitcher elbow injuries
Read full article: Players' union head blames quicker pitch clock after series of pitcher elbow injuriesThe head of the baseball players’ association thinks a shorter pitch clock has contributed to a series of pitcher injuries.
MLB players' executive subcommittee appears to reject insurgent lawyer Harry Marino
Read full article: MLB players' executive subcommittee appears to reject insurgent lawyer Harry MarinoBaseball players’ union head Tony Clark made his first public responses to an effort aimed at ousting his chief negotiator, issuing a statement from the eight-man executive subcommittee appearing to reject insurgent lawyer Harry Marino.
Agent Scott Boras defends himself and union leadership against a faction pushing for new negotiator
Read full article: Agent Scott Boras defends himself and union leadership against a faction pushing for new negotiatorAgent Scott Boras defended himself and the leadership of the Major League Baseball Players Association against a faction pushing for a change in the union’s lead negotiator.
Fanatics founder Michael Rubin says company unfairly blamed for new MLB uniforms
Read full article: Fanatics founder Michael Rubin says company unfairly blamed for new MLB uniformsFanatics founder Michael Rubin says his company is being unfairly blamed for new Major League Baseball uniforms that have see-through pants and other fit and design problems.
MLB union says 2-second cut to pitch clock too soon for some pitchers
Read full article: MLB union says 2-second cut to pitch clock too soon for some pitchersMajor League Baseball’s move to slice two seconds off the pitch clock with runners on base is too much, too soon, according to the head of the players’ union.
MLB open to consider increasing time on pitch clock in postseason
Read full article: MLB open to consider increasing time on pitch clock in postseasonBaseball Commissioner Rob Manfred will consider increasing time on the pitch clock for the postseason but is reluctant to adjust an innovation the sport considers a great success.
MLB average salary rose 14.8% to record $4.22M last season
Read full article: MLB average salary rose 14.8% to record $4.22M last seasonMajor League Baseball’s average salary rose 14.8% to a record $4.22 million last year after the end of the lockout, boosted by big deals for Max Scherzer, Francisco Lindor, Marcus Semien and Corey Seager.
Tony Clark sad no US-born Black players in World Series
Read full article: Tony Clark sad no US-born Black players in World SeriesPlayers’ union head Tony Clark says years of inattention by Major League Baseball has contributed to the World Series being played without any U.S.-born Black players for the first time since 1950.
MLB adopts pitch clock, shift limits, bigger bases for 2023
Read full article: MLB adopts pitch clock, shift limits, bigger bases for 2023Major League Baseball has adopted its first pitch clock, limits on defensive shifts and larger bases for next season in an effort to shorten games and increase offense in a tradition-bound sport.
Clark says push to unionize minor leaguers off to good start
Read full article: Clark says push to unionize minor leaguers off to good startMajor League Baseball Players Association head Tony Clark is confident that at least 30% of minor league players will sign union authorization cards in the coming days and weeks.
All-Star reliever, MLB union rep Andrew Miller retires at 36
Read full article: All-Star reliever, MLB union rep Andrew Miller retires at 36Andrew Miller, a two-time All-Star and dominant postseason reliever who helped negotiate the recent labor deal that ended Major League Baseball’s 99-day lockout, has retired at 36.
Unvaccinated MLB players can't travel to Canada to play Jays
Read full article: Unvaccinated MLB players can't travel to Canada to play JaysMajor League Baseball players who are not vaccinated against the coronavirus won't be allowed to travel into Canada to face the Blue Jays in Toronto and won’t be paid for those games.
MLB cancels opening day after sides fail to end lockout
Read full article: MLB cancels opening day after sides fail to end lockoutMajor League Baseball’s financial fight cost regular-season games for the first time in 27 years when often acrimonious talks to end a management lockout collapsed and Commissioner Rob Manfred scrapped March 31 openers.
Manfred joins in, MLB lockout talks appear to gain momentum
Read full article: Manfred joins in, MLB lockout talks appear to gain momentumBaseball players and owners took a first step toward salvaging opening day, nearing agreement on an amateur draft lottery during lockout negotiations that included a surprise one-on-one meeting between Commissioner Rob Manfred and union head Tony Clark.
MLB 4 days from deadline to cancel games and shorten season
Read full article: MLB 4 days from deadline to cancel games and shorten seasonAnother negotiating session produced only minor movement and no proposals on big-money issues, leaving Major League Baseball four days from management’s Monday night deadline for a deal to salvage opening day and a 162-game season.
MLB: Season to be shortened if no deal by end of Monday
Read full article: MLB: Season to be shortened if no deal by end of MondayMajor League Baseball gave locked out players five days to salvage March 31 openers and a full season, telling the union that games would be canceled if a labor contract is not agreed to by the end of Monday.
Manfred, Clark divergent views point to lengthy lockout
Read full article: Manfred, Clark divergent views point to lengthy lockoutHours into Major League Baseball’s first work stoppage in 26 years, Commissioner Rob Manfred and union head Tony Clark presented diametrically opposed views of each side’s negotiating positions that point to a lengthy lockout.
MLB owners lock out players, 1st work stoppage since 1995
Read full article: MLB owners lock out players, 1st work stoppage since 1995Major League Baseball plunged into its first work stoppage in a quarter-century when the sport’s collective bargaining agreement expired and owners immediately locked out players in a move that threatens spring training and opening day.
Former player, labor lawyer lead MLB into 9th work stoppage
Read full article: Former player, labor lawyer lead MLB into 9th work stoppageTony Clark was a minor league prospect in the Detroit Tigers’ system and Rob Manfred a junior lawyer on management’s legal team during Major League Baseball’s last work stoppage.
MLB owners meet amid labor negotiations with players' union
Read full article: MLB owners meet amid labor negotiations with players' unionNew York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said he voted for Major League Baseball’s proposal to lower the luxury tax threshold, a plan opposed by the players’ union with the sport on the brink of its first work stoppage on 26 years.
Late innings = late nights as World Series games lengthen
Read full article: Late innings = late nights as World Series games lengthenLate innings means late nights in the World Series, with many fans struggling to stay awake as the Braves and Astros play baseball’s most important games of the year.
Manfred remains optimistic on labor; pitch clock encouraging
Read full article: Manfred remains optimistic on labor; pitch clock encouragingBaseball Commissioner Rob Manfred exchanged a handshake with players’ union head Tony Clark on the field before the World Series opener and expressed optimism about reaching an agreement before the current deal expires Dec. 1 but did not detail any progress in talks that appear headed to a lockout.
On Baseball: MLB work stoppage in 2022 increasingly likely
Read full article: On Baseball: MLB work stoppage in 2022 increasingly likely(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)NEW YORK – A work stoppage at the start of spring training 2022 seems increasingly likely after baseball players refused to negotiate with owners over a one-month delay for this spring training and regular season. “I hope we don't have a work stoppage. Clark said in an email he was not more worried about a work stoppage because of the current state of relations and that player anger at club behavior did not frame the relationship. AdSince the last baseball work stoppage, the NFL had a preseason lockout in 2011, and the NBA had lockouts that cut 1998-99 to 50 games per team and 2011-12 to 66 games per team. Publicly, baseball players and owners say they have to work together.
LEADING OFF: Cards, Brews try again after virus postponement
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Cards, Brews try again after virus postponementThe Cardinals will see if they can begin their series at Milwaukee after St. Louis became the latest team to get shut down by the coronavirus. The Brewers home opener was postponed Friday because two Cardinals players tested positive for COVID-19. TV Show suggestions please, tweeted Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty, who had been scheduled to start. Max Scherzer and the World Series champs wont play again until hosting the New York Mets on Tuesday. San Diegos plus-19 run differential (52 runs scored/33 allowed) is its second best through eight games in team history.
Manfred confident MLB can get through playoffs despite virus
Read full article: Manfred confident MLB can get through playoffs despite virusThe virus also prompted at least two more players to opt out Saturday: Brewers All-Star outfielder Lorenzo Cain and Miami second baseman Isan Daz. I dont think its realistic to think that were not going to have any more positive tests, Manfred said. After two St. Louis players tested positive, the whole Cardinals team was given rapids tests Friday and saliva samples were sent to an MLB laboratory. Thats why we were reluctant to get into scheduling a bunch of doubleheaders just to play more games, Manfred said. In addition, Manfred says players and coaches should take advantage of the open seats in the stands near the dugouts and bullpens in order to spread out.
6 teams idle: Manfred, union talk as MLB grapples with virus
Read full article: 6 teams idle: Manfred, union talk as MLB grapples with virusArizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Archie Bradley, left and catcher Stephen Vogt celebrate the 4-1 win over the Texas Rangers in a baseball game Tuesday, July 28, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. Manfred and Clark talked about what needs to be done to finish the season, a person familiar with the conversation said. So its just like every other rule that MLB has for players now its going to be enforced, so to speak. I would rather not see any more positive cases.The six idled teams Friday represented 20% of MLB. Aside from the Marlins, there were eight positive tests for the 29 other teams, only two involved major league players.
MLB doubleheaders could get shortened to 7-inning games
Read full article: MLB doubleheaders could get shortened to 7-inning gamesThe players association is surveying members and may propose either two seven-inning games for a twinbill or nine innings for the opener and seven for the nightcap. Phillies general Matt Klentak said seven-inning games are possible for the twinbill. Given modern usage of pitchers, Maddon said the shortened game would be the equivalent of starting the games in the third inning. The sixth inning, the fifth inning play differently, he said. The sixth inning, the fifth inning play differently based on the game supposed to conclude, he said.
MLB holds off on imposing schedule until protocols locked in
Read full article: MLB holds off on imposing schedule until protocols locked inIt would be MLBs shortest since the 1878 National League season. There was still one issue in the manual of protocols still unresolved, several people said. Those provisions were in the agreement the union rejected Monday but were to survive as part of the operations manual. MLB claimed that without gate-related revenue it would lose $640,000 for each additional regular-season game, a figure the union disputed. MLB would claim the union bargained in bad faith, and the case would be argued before arbitrator Mark Irvings.
AP source: Players' board rejects 60-game season by 33-5
Read full article: AP source: Players' board rejects 60-game season by 33-5FILE - In this Feb. 19, 2017, file photo, Major League Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark, answers questions at a news conference in Phoenix. Commissioner Rob Manfred says there might be no major league season after a breakdown in talks between teams and the union on how to split up money in a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. The league also said several players have tested positive for COVID-19. An initial deal March 26 called for players to receive prorated salaries, but that agreement did not require MLB to play in empty ballparks. MLB offered 60 games and $1.48 billion from salaries that originally totaled $4 billion, plus a $25 million postseason players pool.
Balk in baseball coronavirus talks as negotiations drag on
Read full article: Balk in baseball coronavirus talks as negotiations drag onFILE - In this Feb. 19, 2017, file photo, Major League Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark, answers questions at a news conference in Phoenix. Commissioner Rob Manfred says there might be no major league season after a breakdown in talks between teams and the union on how to split up money in a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)NEW YORK An email from baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to union head Tony Clark led to a balk in the drawn-out talks to start the pandemic-delayed season. A rise in positive tests last week in Florida caused MLB to close all 30 training camps for deep cleaning and disinfecting. Twenty-nine of the 30 teams now intend to hold training at their regular season stadiums rather than spring training sites.
MLB tells players at most 60 games; 50 or fewer possible
Read full article: MLB tells players at most 60 games; 50 or fewer possible(AP Photo/LM Otero, File)NEW YORK The players' association was told by Major League Baseball on Friday that teams will not agree to more than 60 games in the pandemic-delayed season, leaving open the possibility of an even shorter schedule of perhaps 50 games or fewer. The union countered with a 70-game schedule as part of a proposal that left the sides about $275 million apart. MLB has informed the association that it will not respond to our last proposal and will not play more than 60 games," the union said in a statement on Friday night. That would be cut to $1.73 billion for a 70-game schedule, $1.48 billion for 60 games and $1.23 billion for 50 games roughly matching the total in MLB's initial proposal for an 82-game schedule with a sliding salary scale. In addition, MLB has offered a $25 million postseason players' pool.
Players counter with 70-game season, 10 more than MLB
Read full article: Players counter with 70-game season, 10 more than MLBFILE - In this Feb. 19, 2017, file photo, Major League Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark, answers questions at a news conference in Phoenix. Commissioner Rob Manfred says there might be no major league season after a breakdown in talks between teams and the union on how to split up money in a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. As part of the union proposal, players would wear advertisement patches on their uniforms during all games for the first time in major league history. Both MLB and the union proposed starting the season on July 19, and players said it should end Sept. 30, three days later than management. Both sides would expand use of the designated hitter to games involving National League teams, and both sides would expand the playoffs to 16 teams this year.
AP Source: Manfred, Clark meet in Arizona
Read full article: AP Source: Manfred, Clark meet in ArizonaFILE - In this Nov. 21, 2019, file photo, baseball commissioner Rob Manfred speaks to the media at the owners meeting in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)NEW YORK Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred met with players' union head Tony Clark in Arizona in an attempt to restart talks aimed at starting the pandemic-delayed season. Clark has homes in the Phoenix area and in New Jersey, and he has been in Arizona since spring training was cut short on March 12. The union cut off talks Saturday, a day after MLB's last proposal, and said additional negotiations were futile. Players told MLB to unilaterally set the schedule but Manfred said MLB would not while there was a threat of a grievance.
Yankees president Levine calls for MLB talks to resume
Read full article: Yankees president Levine calls for MLB talks to resumeNEW YORK Yankees President Randy Levine called on the players' association to resume negotiations with Major League Baseball to start the pandemic-delayed season. Players insist they get the full prorated salaries called for in the March 26 agreement with MLB. Everyone here wants to get down to business as soon as possible and play games. From what Ive discovered, the holdup is not about the number of games or money at this time," Levine said. He has been and continues to be dedicated to play a 2020 season, said Levine, who was MLB's chief negotiator from 1995-97.
AP sources: MLB players cut to 89 games, want prorated money
Read full article: AP sources: MLB players cut to 89 games, want prorated money(AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)NEW YORK Baseball players have moved toward teams but remained far apart economically in their latest proposal for starting the pandemic-delayed season, adamant they receive full prorated salaries while offering to cut the regular season to 89. MLB has said that absent an agreement it could go ahead with a shorter schedule of perhaps 50 games. Players made their move one day after management cut its proposed schedule from 82 games to 76. But players insist on full prorated salaries as specified in the March 26 agreement between the perpetually feuding sides. A 50-game schedule with prorated salaries would total just over $1.2 billion.
MLB players reaffirm pay stance, no deal with teams in sight
Read full article: MLB players reaffirm pay stance, no deal with teams in sightFIEL - In this Feb. 19, 2017, file photo, Tony Clark, executive director of the Major League Players Association, answers questions at a news conference in Phoenix. More than 100 players, including the union's executive board, held a two-hour digital meeting with officials of the Major League Baseball Players Association on Thursday, a day after their offer was rejected by Major League Baseball. Earlier this week, Major League Baseball communicated its intention to schedule a dramatically shortened 2020 season unless players negotiate salary concessions, union head Tony Clark said in a statement. Players countered Sunday with a plan for a 114-game regular season with no pay cuts beyond the prorated salaries they agreed to on March 26. In this time of unprecedented suffering at home and abroad, players want nothing more than to get back to work, Clark said.