LOS ANGELES – As Mike Piazza stood behind the batting cage late yesterday afternoon, he eloquently reaffirmed the players’ union right to keep its options open.
The Mets catcher was not surprised union associate counsel Gene Orza publicly stated on Tuesday that the players were preparing for the possibility of an August strike.
As Piazza finished talking about the latest twist to the labor saga, commissioner Bud Selig arrived at Dodger Stadium and walked down to the seats behind home plate.
“Speak of the devil, and he turns up every time,” Piazza said with a hearty laugh. “Is that eerie?”
In the second inning of last night’s game, Selig addressed a large contingent of the Los Angeles and New York press, speaking optimistically but only in vague terms. He offered nothing of substance that would soothe fans worried about another work stoppage, other than the general hope that the two sides can work together.
“Before everyone reacts or overreacts, we have to remember that there’s been no strike date set,” Selig said.
“I want to repeat, I’ll say this very sincerely to you, we must confront and solve these problems at the table.
“I have great hopes that we will do that.”
Part of Selig’s traveling party was Rob Manfred, executive VP of labor relations. Manfred spoke in more specific terms.
“We’re more confused than anything else,” Manfred said of the strike talk. “Both sides have comprehensive proposals [on the table].
Mets player representative Al Leiter had already traveled ahead to San Diego, where he will start tonight’s game. But Piazza has been an outspoken critic of the labor position of Selig and the owners, with some of his spring-training comments prompting a ballyhooed management memo.
“It seems to me it’s just the way history has dictated these things work out,” Piazza said. “We have to investigate all the options.
“We’re not trying to making threats, but we’re just trying to get a deal done. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really mimic traditional labor practices. But then again, it does.”
Owners claim $232 million in operating losses last year on revenue of $3.5 billion. Players are suspicious, but they haven’t challenged the figures at bargaining sessions, management lawyers say.
Talks for an agreement to replace the one that expired Nov. 7 began in January, but the sides have had only sporadic meetings.The sides probably will resume talks May 28, according to Orza.