Union Files Phillips Grievance

The Major League Players Assn. filed a grievance Tuesday in response to the Angels’ suspension of Tony Phillips.

A hearing will be held before independent arbitrator Richard Bloch today at 1 p.m. in New York. Phillips, who is facing felony cocaine possession charges stemming from an Aug. 10 arrest in Anaheim, was suspended by the team with pay Monday. Phillips was cleared to return to the team by doctors for the union and the owners, but the Walt Disney Co., which owns the Angels, wants Phillips to undergo extensive inpatient treatment.

“My hope is that in the hours before the hearing, baseball will reaffirm its long-standing drug policy,” said Gene Orza, associate general counsel for the players’ association. “Tony has been cleared to play, therefore he must play. No individual club can supersede that policy and the Anaheim Angels know it.”

Michael Eisner, the CEO of the Walt Disney Co., took part in the decision, making it as much a matter of image as baseball.

The stand may be what the Angels, or Disney, feel is right despite what baseball will allow.

“I’m not saying that would be the wrong assumption, but our intent was sincere,” Angel General Manager Bill Bavasi said. “We just wanted to do the right thing for Tony and the team.”

The owners’ player relations committee could still step in to negotiate a settlement. Louis Melendez, associate counsel for the player relations committee, said that remained a possibility.

“People always prefer a settlement to arbitration,” Melendez said. “Whether there will be one tomorrow, I don’t know.

“We’ll be there in case [the Angels] have any questions regarding the collective bargaining agreement or the drug policy.”

Under the terms of that policy, Phillips was examined by doctors representing the union and the owners last week. He was cleared to play after volunteering for random drug testing and outpatient counseling.

But Disney spokesman John Dreyer said company policy calls for either termination or suspension and inpatient treatment.

“The union is taking the position that the suspension is in opposition to the drug policy,” Melendez said.

“Baseball does have a drug policy and a number players have come under that policy over the years.”

Bavasi said Phillips would play if the suspension is overturned.

“We are starting the second week with a 24-man roster,” Bavasi said. “If the suspension is overturned, then Tony comes back. If it’s upheld, then we can apply to the commissioner’s office to replace him on the roster.”