Players’ union rejects MLB’s 60-game proposal

The executive board of the Major League Baseball Players Association rejected a proposed 60-game schedule by a 33-5 vote, daring Commissioner Rob Manfred to give a unilateral order for the regular season’s start and provoke what figures to be lengthy and costly litigation over the impact of the coronavirus.

The union said in a statement that the “board reaffirmed the players’ eagerness to return to work as soon and as safely as possible.”

“To that end we anticipate finalizing a comprehensive set of health and safety protocols with Major League Baseball in the coming days, and we await word from the league on the resumption of spring training camps and a proposed 2020 schedule,” the union said.

Manfred was expected to take the next step later Monday as baseball descends into the type of labor strife that led to eight work stoppages from 197295.

With the collapse of a negotiated deal, playoffs are set to remain at 10 teams rather than expand to 16, and the proposed expansion of the designated hitter to games involving NL teams would be off. Also falling through for now is a planned experiment that would have had a runner start each extra inning on second base.

Spring training was suspended March 12, two weeks ahead of scheduled openers, and the sides have reverted to the familiar financial infighting that fractured the sport in the past. An initial deal March 26 called for players to receive prorated salaries, but that agreement didn’t require MLB to play in empty ballparks.

Players refused to alter from their insistence on prorated salaries, and MLB finally agreed last week during a meeting between Manfred and union head Tony Clark. But the sides remained about $275 million apart after weeks of talks. MLB offered 60 games and $1.48 billion from salaries that originally totaled $4 billion, plus a $25 million postseason players’ pool. The union wanted 70 games and $1.73 billion plus a $50 million pool.

Players are expected to file a grievance, claiming MLB violated a provision in the March agreement requiring both sides to “work in good faith to as soon as is practicable commence play, and complete the fullest 2020 championship season and postseason that is economically feasible” consistent with several provisions. MLB is expected to file a grievance accusing the union of negotiating in bad faith.

All the while, the coronavirus upended plans of many teams to resume training at their Florida facilities due to a rise in virus cases in the state. Twentynine teams intend to work out in their regular-season ballparks, with the Blue Jays awaiting additional talks with the Canadian federal and Ontario provincial governments.

More bickering and turmoil lies ahead. Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1, 2021, and the virus damaged the already deteriorated relationship and became just another of the financial issues that point toward a spring training lockout ahead of the 2022 season.

Formula One announced on Monday an initiative aimed at tackling racism and encouraging more diversity within the series. F1 said in a statement that “We Race As One” will also address issues surrounding inequality, sustainability and the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to four F1 races being canceled and delayed the season’s start from mid-March to July. The announcement comes after six-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton said Sunday he’s setting up a commission to increase diversity in motorsports. Hamilton is the only black driver in F1.

As expected, Cowboys QB Dak Prescott signed his $31.4 million tender under the franchise tag Monday. That comes just over three weeks before the July 15 deadline to agree on a long-term deal. By signing the offer under the tag, Prescott is obligated to report for all team activities or risk being fined. He didn’t participate in the club’s virtual offseason program while unsigned. The 2016 offensive rookie of the year has started every game of his career after replacing the injured Tony Romo during the 2016 preseason.

Veteran forward Chris Thorburn announced his retirement Monday after playing more than 800 games for four different organizations since 2005 and winning the Stanley Cup last season with the Blues. Despite playing just one game for the Blues in 2018-19, he was the fourth player handed the Cup after Game 7 in Boston. Thorburn was selected 50th overall by the Sabres in the 2001 draft and made his debut for them in 2005. He played 801 regular-season games for the Sabres, Penguins, Thrashers/Jets and Blues. The 37-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, finishes with 53 goals and 81 assists for 134 points. As a 6-foot-3 tough guy, Thorburn had 968 penalty minutes during his NHL career.

The Orlando Pride will not participate in the upcoming NWSL Challenge Cup in Utah after six players and four staff members tested positive for COVID-19. All of the individuals who tested positive were asymptomatic, according to the club.