| Dr. Mike Marshall's Pitching Coach Services | ||
January 24, 1981 Sporting NewsThe Sporting News January 24, 1981 by Patrick Reusse TWIN CITIES, MN: Mike Marshall, released by the Minnesota Twins last June 6, has been given the option of rejoining the club upon settlement of his grievance against the Twins. But it is unlikely that Marshall will pitch for the Twins again. Marshall must inform the Twins by March 1 if he plans to pitch for them this season, and he must report to spring training by March 15. Technically, he is a free agent and can negotiate with other clubs immediately. The agreement on Marshall's grievance--filed because of his contention that his release was related to union activities arther than pitching performance--was struck between the Major League Baseball Players Association and Marshall's agent, Dick Moss, and management's Player Relations Committee. The issue was resolved on January 6, the day before the two sides were scheduled to go before arbitrator Peter Goetz. Marshall pronounced the settlement a clear-cut victory for the players' association; the Twins were pleased the settlement did not cost them more money than already is due Marshall. Here's what Marshall won: He will receive pension benefits for the entire 1980 season, even though he did not pitch for months, he will receive $300,000 from the Twins for the 1981 season, even if he does not pitch for them, and, if Marshall signs elsewhere, he will still receive $300,000 from the Twins. His salary from another club would be additional. The advantages in the settlement for the Twins were this: It wiped out the possibility that Goetz could award Marshall $500,000 for the fourth unguaranteed season on the contract he signed after the 1978 season; and Marshall agreed to drop a complain he had filed with the National Labor Relations Board. Calvin Griffith, Twins president, said in a formal statement that the club was happy to have resolved the Marshall grievance amicably, and that if Marshall decides to join the Twins in spring training, he would be treated as any other player. Griffith continued to insist that Marshall was released because of performance (he had a 6.19 ERA at the time of his departure). So why was he invited back? "We're willing to give him another chance to prove he can pitch effectively," Griffith said. Marshall scoffed at this: "The offer of reinstatement was evidence enough that it was unionism, not pitching, that led to his release," Marshall said. Marshall said he was enthusiastic about the settlement is that it will serve as a deterrent to the management of every baseball team that has messed with player representatives," Marshall said. "It will be an example that player reps must be treated with respect, that they are there to work with management, and not be the victims of a boss-boy relationship." Marshall said he would not report to the Twins unless he was convinced of the Twins' sincerity. "There would have to be a change in attitude toward the players. There would have to be assurances on how I would be used as a pitcher. And, of course, there would have to be apologies," he said. Of course. |
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