Owners Likely to Defy Vincent : Baseball: League presidents are expected to call a meeting at which clubs might ask for his resignation.

Dodger President Peter O’Malley said Sunday that Commissioner Fay Vincent lacks the support of a majority of the 28 clubs and needs to recognize that a meeting is imperative to clear the air.

With or without Vincent, American League President Bobby Brown and National League counterpart Bill White are expected to announce today that they have scheduled a joint owners meeting--possibly in Chicago on Sept. 3.

There could be an attempt at that meeting to do more than clear the air. A coalition of what one National League owner described Saturday as more than 20 clubs is expected to seek a vote of no confidence in the commissioner and his resignation.

Vincent wrote in a five-page letter to each of the owners on Thursday that he will never resign and will fight any unlawful attempt to remove him.

He has hired Washington attorney Brendan Sullivan Jr. to represent him “if there is any inappropriate action” by the owners.

Under terms of the Major League Agreement, a commissioner can not be fired, nor his authority diminished, during his term of office. However, more than one owner said on Sunday that they believe Vincent’s position can be challenged legally if, said one, “we want to wage that kind of fight. The preference would be to have him step down.”

The Major League Agreement authorizes the league presidents to call a joint meeting if the commissioner fails to respond to a request for one within five days.

White and Brown, at the behest of a majority of the owners, wrote to Vincent last Monday, making that request. Vincent wrote back Thursday, stating his position. It is unlikely he will agree to attend any meeting at which his status will be discussed. A quarterly owners meeting is scheduled for Sept. 9 in St. Louis, but O’Malley said Sunday there is need to discuss Vincent’s role before that.

The league presidents are expected to set the time and place today. Owners will also vote on the sale of the Detroit Tigers.

“Despite what the commissioner says, there are so many issues facing baseball that it’s critical he has the overwhelming support of the clubs, and I don’t think this commissioner has that support,” O’Malley said.

“The fact that a majority of clubs have requested a meeting is one sign of that.”

O’Malley said he was “disappointed” by the commissioner’s performance.

“The majority of the clubs (who have requested the meeting) represent all sides of all issues,” he said. “It’s not just one issue that’s triggered this. It’s across the board.

“It’s (the commissioner’s role in) TV, labor, realignment, expansion, the dispute with the National Assn. (which governs the minor leagues) a year ago.

“You can pretty much pick an issue, and there is concern over how the commissioner has handled it.”