Strike zone

Sept. 16 is 'preferred date' for players' walkout

Sports Illustrated senior writer Tom Verducci reported July 16 that a source familiar with the ongoing major league baseball labor discussions said the leading strike date under consideration by the players' association is Sept. 16. However, in a memorandum sent to players Monday, union head Donald Fehr said no decision on a date has been made. CNNSI.com asked Verducci his thoughts on the latest developments:

CNNSI.com: The players came out Monday and vehemently denied setting a Sept. 16 strike date. Was that just spin and a way to avoid bad publicity?

Tom Verducci: No, I don't think it was spin. Technically, the union has not set a strike date. There isn't an actual plan in place. In other words, why show your cards when you don't have to. However, the union is definitely kicking Sept. 16 around. If anyone thinks they are not talking strike dates, they are naive. But the fact is they haven't settled on one. They still need to clear a date with the executive board and the player reps.

CNNSI.com: Do you still think a Sept. 16 strike will happen?

Verducci: I do. It's not firm, but is is the preferred date. Nothing is set, but the union is at the stage now where they have to look at specific dates. Donald Fehr will be meeting with players over the next two weeks so there's no urgency to settle on Sept. 16 sooner rather than later. Other dates have been kicked around, such as Aug. 16 and Labor Day. All those dates are in play. Plus, setting a date also depends on how the negotiations go and Fehr still has to canvas the players, so it's a changeable situation.

CNNSI.com: Is Sept. 11 a factor in which date they set to walk out on?

Verducci: It's a small factor in that the players are certainly not going to walk out Sept. 9, 10 or 11. In that narrow window, it has an effect. Outside of that it's minimal. The players will strike when their leverage is highest. Plus, they will announce a strike date two weeks before actually walking out, so it won't be a big surprise.

 

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