Umpires Withdraw Lawsuit

The umpires’ union withdrew its lawsuit against baseball Tuesday, leaving the National Labor Relations Board as the last hope for 22 umpires who want their jobs back.

The move came just before the American and National leagues were to file a motion to dismiss the case. The leagues, claiming the suit was frivolous, had planned to ask for legal sanctions against the umpires’ union and its lawyers.

After retaining outside labor lawyers, umpires filed an unfair labor practice charge last week against the AL and NL. The NLRB is not expected to rule on the case until next month, and the union said it may file another suit in federal court next week.

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The “old-boy network” still exists in sports, National League President Len Coleman said in explaining why blacks and Latinos have not gained more management positions.

“The old-boy network has outlived its usefulness,” said Coleman, the highest ranking black official of a major professional league. “But it’s still entrenched. And one of the cultural things we’ve got to break down . . . is that old-boy network.”

In the last decade, the number of front-office jobs in professional baseball held by minorities has risen from 2% to 21%, Coleman said. But he added that only one black--Bob Watson of the Yankees--has held the position of general manager. He no longer has that job.

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Seattle Mariner pitcher Frankie Rodriguez and New York Yankee pitcher Jason Grimsley decided to appeal their suspensions stemming from a brawl last week at Seattle. . . . The Toronto Blue Jays put first baseman David Segui on the 15-day disabled list because of a broken bone in his right hand. His roster spot will be taken by outfielder Brian McRae, acquired from Colorado in a trade Monday. . . . Texas sent pitcher Doug Davis to triple-A Oklahoma City and recalled right-hander Ryan Glynn.