Labor Pains

Updated February 28, 2017 | Infoplease Staff

A guide to Major League Baseball's contraction issue

This article was posted in 2001.

More on Contraction Contraction Timeline Contraction FAQs Related Links Major League Franchise Origins The Growth of Major League Baseball Baseball Through the Years Contraction Sherman Act Baseball's Eight Work Stoppages

The decision made by Major League Baseball owners to contract two teams before the 2002 season was the first punch thrown in what appears to be a winter-long battle royal over the future of America's national pastime.

The vote, which occurred one day before the league's collective bargaining agreement with the players' union was set to expire, is most likely the owners' attempt to gain some leverage in renewal discussions.

But by threatening to pull two franchises out from under their respective cities and fans, the owners have drawn a slew of state legislators, lawyers, stadium owners, judges, members of Congress, and outraged fans into the mix.

If you think of offseason owner-player negotiations as one of those all-too-familiar, on-field brawls, the owners have essentially opened up the gates and let the grounds crew, umpires, concession vendors, and fans join in the pig pile.

The contraction debate is just the latest dispute to come down the pike in what has become a traffic jam of issues concerning baseball's financial future.

Back to the Bargaining Table

The collective bargaining agreement outlines things such as player's minimum salaries, the rules for arbitrating players' contracts, and revenue sharing between the teams. The last agreement was signed in 1995 and ended a 232-day players' strike, the eighth work stoppage in league history.