America finally rid itself of Dick Cheney after 8 years, and now it’s about to lose another of its greatest villains, MLBPA chief Donald Fehr, who announced on Monday that he is retiring after 25 years of smugly helping to trash the national pastime. AP reports (via SI.com):
Donald Fehr’s quarter century in charge of the players’ association was marked by a strike that canceled the World Series, record salaries and eventually 14 years of labor peace.
And to his detractors, it was marred by a go-slow approach to steroids.
Fehr, who turns 61 next month, said Monday he will leave the powerful union no later than the end of March. Fehr recommended that he be succeeded by union general counsel Michael Weiner, the No. 3 official and his longtime heir apparent. The move is subject to approval by the union’s executive board and possible ratification by all players.
“I have no hesitancy in recommending to the players that he be given the opportunity to do this job,” Fehr said.
The new guy’s name may be Weiner, but everyone knows the real wiener is Fehr, whose approached wiped out chunks of two seasons plus one World Series, and helped keep steroids in the game even though every one knows they are physically harmful. Ken Caminiti, who won the MVP while jacked up on more nutty crap than a racehorse, might be alive right now had Fehr actually worked to protect the health of the men he represents, rather than focusing solely on the well-being of their salaries.
The players, especially the ones like A-Rod who used steroids and are making absurd bank, probably revere Fehr, and maybe they have reason to. But, from the fan’s point-of-view, the guy deserves little but scorn. Not that he cares what we all think of him – people don’t get to be powerful union heads by worrying about public image.
On the Mount Rushmore of greedy people who tried to ruin baseball, Fehr deserves to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Bud Selig. I’m carving them right now. I’m not using granite. I’d tell you what I’m using but I don’t want you to lose your breakfast.
Tags: alex rodriguez, bud selig, dick cheney, donald fehr, ken caminiti, michael weiner
