SubscribeThis just in: The Fehr is gone
Well, on his way out, at least, as head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, according to a report from the Associated Press.
“Fehr, who turns 61 next month, said Monday he will retire no later than the end of March.”
Fehr did a lot of good in his day, but he also built the union up a bit too strong, to the point where the inmates were running the asylum. A key example: After the 2003 season, the Texas Rangers were working on a trade that would send Alex Rodriguez, that year’s MVP, to the Boston Red Sox. But when A-Rod said he would take a reduced salary to seal the deal, the union stepped in and said “no,” that it would set a precedent.
Of course, his name led to plenty of great headlines, such as “The only thing we have to fear is Fehr himself.”
He made his share of mistakes but the owners are more responsible for a powerful union than anyone. IN fact, Fehr was a lot more moderate than Marvin Miller would have been.