Rays prepared to back union agenda

© St. Petersburg Times
published July 4, 2002

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Rays players met before Wednesday's game to discuss and vote on issues relating to the labor negotiations, including the possibility of setting a strike date.

Union representative John Flaherty would not reveal what positions the Rays took during the 20-minute meeting, but he said they were unified. Testing for steroids is believed to be one of the issues discussed.

"It went well; the Devil Rays are all on the same page," Flaherty said. "Everyone seems to be in agreement."

The union will hold an executive board meeting Monday in Chicago and may set a strike date at that time. Joe Kennedy will represent the Rays at the meeting and present the team's position on several issues.

"Obviously steroids is a hot topic; I'm sure it will be discussed," Flaherty said. "A strike, obviously. A strike date -- is it something we feel we need to go forward on or do we feel it is not going to be beneficial? These are things that have to be discussed, and Joe will have what this club feels and take it to Chicago."

Flaherty said the players would consider a strike only as a means to get the owners to negotiate.

"Going out on strike is a last resort for us, the last thing we want to do," Flaherty said. "Nobody wants to do it. But that being said, if we feel a strike date or a strike will speed up this process or actually get (the owners) to start talking about some of the core issues, then it's something we have to think about.

"You can debate that one up and down the street all you want: Yeah, it will get them to the table, or, no, they're very intent on not negotiating. And even if we strike as in '94, '94 showed us that the strike really didn't do a whole lot except lose a lot of baseball and the playoffs and the World Series. So these are things that are going to be discussed at this meeting (Monday) and things that have to be discussed in (the Rays clubhouse): Do we feel that setting a strike date will get the ultimate goal of a new agreement done?

"That's what we have to find out and figure out. It's not an easy decision because obviously the last thing we want to do is go on strike."

Kennedy is attending the meeting so Flaherty can spend the All-Star break with his family and because the Rays didn't want alternate rep Randy Winn to miss any of the All-Star activities.

JUDGMENT DAY: Kennedy will have a hearing July 15 to appeal the seven-game suspension he received for throwing at Toronto's Ken Huckaby on June 6.

"I'd like to get it cut back," Kennedy said.

Kennedy is tentatively scheduled to pitch the first game after the All-Star break July 11 and again July 16. So even if his suspension is reduced, he is likely to miss at least one start.

Kennedy did not know the details of the hearing process. His appeal is likely to be heard by MLB president Robert DuPuy.

The Rays think umpire Kerwin Danley was wrong to issue a warning after Toronto's Luke Prokopec hit Aubrey Huff in the head earlier in the game. With the warning in place, Danley ejected Kennedy for throwing a pitch that sailed past Huckaby's head and struck his bat.

NO STARS: Winn was not in the lineup for the first time since June 3.

Manager Hal McRae said he had been looking for a chance to rest Winn, who had a team-record 42 hits in June but is 4-for-17 over his past four games. "It's a keep-him-hot day off," McRae said.

Jason Conti played centerfield Wednesday, with Dave McCarty in left. McRae said he may rest Ben Grieve tonight, with Conti playing rightfield.

PITCHING IN: A decision has not been made, but McRae said it might be better for the Rays to wait until after the All-Star break to activate pitcher Ryan Rupe, who is on the disabled list with knee tendinitis.

If the Rays do wait, Jorge Sosa will make his third start Saturday. Rupe likely would go to the back end of the rotation, pitching July 15.

MISCELLANY: Winn received votes for the AL player of the month award won by Chicago's Paul Konerko. ... McRae said Greg Vaughn's bruised right shoulder is getting better, but he has not tested it by hitting or throwing. ... Winn has 97 hits through 81 games, giving him a chance to be the quickest to reach 100 in Rays history. Quinton McCracken got his 100th in the the 83rd game in 1998.