Ueberroth Reportedly Would Make Detroit’s Lynn Eligible for Playoffs

Fred Lynn probably would be eligible for postseason play if the Detroit Tigers reach the playoffs, the Washington Post reported Friday.

The newspaper reported that Commissioner Peter Ueberroth said he’s considering making Lynn eligible for the playoffs, but sources near the commissioner indicated he has already made up his mind to do it.

The Major League Baseball Players Assn. filed a grievance, claiming the Detroit outfielder was declared ineligible for postseason play under a non-existent rule. The matter could be decided by an impartial arbitrator.

The grievance questions the interpretation of the rule under which Lynn was declared ineligible.

According to the rule, Aug. 31 is the last day a player may be obtained from another organization and still be eligible for postseason play, and he must join his new team by midnight that day.

The Tigers acquired Lynn from Baltimore Aug. 31. Baseball management’s interpretation is that Lynn had to be in the same city as the Tigers--Chicago--by midnight that night.

The plane carrying Lynn made radio contact with the control tower in Chicago at 12:10 a.m. Sept. 1, and officials ruled that was too late.

The grievance goes to Barry Rona, head of the Player Relations Committee, the owners’ labor relations unit. Rona could agree with the grievance and make Lynn eligible. If he disagrees, the grievance would go to an arbitrator.

But a decision by the commissioner could make the issue moot.