Players' Vote Means Four More Years

Players’ Vote Means Four More Years

By MIKE DiGIOVANNA

Dec. 6, 1996 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

There were a few snags--what would a baseball labor deal be without complications?--but no last-minute surprises in Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico, on Thursday.

Baseball players, as expected, ratified the proposed labor deal, officially ending a bitter four-year battle with owners that forced cancellation of the 1994 World Series and led to more than $1 billion in losses for owners and players during the 232-day strike of 1994-95.

The deal, ratified by owners last week and approved unanimously by the union’s executive board led by Donald Fehr, ensures no work stoppages through 2000 and includes an option that could extend the agreement through the 2001 season.

“It’s a huge sigh of relief,” said Angel pitcher Shawn Boskie, a free agent. “It’s one thing that won’t be a factor for a few years. Now we can concentrate on developing the game more and marketing it better.”

The deal also includes a provision for experimental interleague play in 1997 and 1998. The original deal called for interleague play in 1997 only, but players still must vote by mail in January whether to approve interleague play for the additional year.

Each National League team will play 15 or 16 games against American League opponents from the same division this season, with the Dodgers and Angels scheduled for a two-game series in Los Angeles on June 17-18 and a two-game set in Anaheim on July 2-3.

Approval of interleague play in 1998 is contingent on retaining the limit of 16 interleague games per team. If owners want to expand the number beyond that in 1998, which they have discussed, they will have to allow the designated hitter in all interleague games, not just those in American League ballparks.

“With this unfortunate period behind us, my fellow players and I can once again focus on the game on the field,” New York Yankee pitcher David Cone, the American League player representative, said in a prepared statement. “We are confident that baseball’s best days lie ahead.”

Attorneys worked through two snags involving playoff bonus money and free-agent rules that had caused a two-day delay in the union’s ratification vote.

“I think it’s a relief for everybody,” Seattle catcher Dan Wilson said. “There will be a lot more stability than existed before. Once we get a commissioner and start rolling, it’s going to be great for baseball.”

Under the agreement, players get credit for service time during the 75 regular-season days wiped out by the strike, the longest work stoppage in the history of U.S. sports.

That gives free-agent rights to 12 new players, among them pitchers Alex Fernandez, Jimmy Key and Mel Rojas and outfielder Moises Alou.

There will also be a 35% “luxury tax” on the portions of payrolls exceeding $51 million for the five teams spending the most on players, a provision designed to decrease the payroll disparity between the large- and small-market teams.

There will be vastly greater revenue sharing among clubs, with high-revenue teams having to give up a greater percentage of their locally generated broadcast and ticket money.

Combined, the luxury tax and revenue sharing will result in a shift of at least $70 million a year from large-market teams to small-market teams. The Dodgers will be required to pay $3.4 million this year and the Angels will receive $2.7 million.

The agreement also calls for an increase in the major league minimum salary next season, from $109,000 to $150,000.

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Deal at a Glance

WHAT OWNERS GET

* Luxury tax--On top five clubs whose payrolls exceed limit ($51 million in ‘97).

* Revenue sharing--The 13 most profitable teams will be taxed on net income.

* Payroll tax--On player salaries (2.5%), generating $40 million-$50 million.

WHAT PLAYERS GET

* Minimum salary--Increases to $150,000 for 1997.

* Service time--Credit for time lost during 1994 strike makes 12 free agents.

WHAT FANS GET

* The game--No interruption of play for four years.