Yesterday, Major League Baseball requested the assistance of a federal mediator to help smooth things over with the Players’ Association and end the lockout. The Players’ Association, to no one’s surprise, rejected the idea, with one player calling it a “publicity stunt.”
Giants lefty Alex Wood tweeted “How can MLB request for there to be a mediator from the Federal Government when they literally haven’t even done any negotiating up to this point? Asking for a friend.”
But would a mediator help speed up the process? Would getting a third party involved help smooth things over and get baseball going again? The players don’t seem to think so, but we need to do a deep dive into previous work stoppages in sports where a mediator was ultimately requested to help the two sides come to the middle.
The most recent example is the 2012-13 NHL lockout. Scot Beckenbaugh, who is known as the “master mediator” at FMCS, helped the two sides come to an agreement and was ultimately praised by both sides for his work. He also mediated the 2015 MLS strike.
However, the last time MLB used a mediator, it didn’t go well. This happened in 1994 during the strike, as mediator Bill Usery was unable to help the two sides reach a compromise, angering the players and ultimately causing the 1994 World Series to be cancelled.
So if it were to happen, there are two ways it could go. Let’s explore both scenarios below.
Positive effect
Obviously, if it has a positive effect, then a mediator will help make it easier for the two sides to compromise and reach an agreement. If that works, then it’s possible that Opening Day isn’t pushed back and the season starts on time.
Negative effect
This seems to be the more likely outcome, if a mediator even gets involved, which is something the players don’t want. Because tensions are so high, we can assume that it could turn out just like it did in 1994. It’s far too early to worry about losing the World Series, but in all likelihood, the season will be shortened and Opening Day will have to wait a while.
It’s hard to stomach any more of this. Even if a mediator gets involved and it goes well, this just goes to show how bad things have gotten between the two sides and how far apart they are.
