The sense of international goodwill Major League Baseball was hoping to spread with the Boston Red Sox-Oakland Athletics trip to Japan has been threatened before the plane even leaves the tarmac.
At issue is whether the Red Sox coaches will be paid $40,000 each -- the same as each player will be getting -- for the Japan appearance, which includes two exhibition games as well as two games that will count in the standings.
According to the Boston Herald, the Red Sox will hold a players-only meeting Wednesday morning about the situation. The players are prepared to respond to Major League Baseball with an ultimatum -- if the coaches aren't paid, the Red Sox players will not get on the plane to go to Japan, the Herald reported.
The team -- and manager Terry Francona, in particular -- was incensed when it learned each coach would not be receiving the $40,000, a stipulation that was in the original agreement to go to Japan, the Herald reported.
Francona first found out there might be an issue two days ago, when he discovered Athletics coaches already knew they were not being paid. Francona told the Boston Globe that he has been trying to reach Major League Baseball officials for two days, to no avail.
He said he did not care about the money for himself, but for some of the coaches, $40,000 is two-fifths of a salary, a tidy bonus for an 18-day trip that also includes a coaching clinic and a visit to a U.S. Army base, the Globe reported.
The Red Sox were scheduled to have a send-off, with fans cheering them on as they board their buses for the airport following a 12:05 p.m. game against the Toronto Blue Jays at City of Palms Park.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report
Last edited by thedude on Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:40 am, edited 2 times in total.
"I do not think baseball of today is any better than it was 30 years ago... I still think Radbourne is the greatest of the pitchers." John Sullivan 1914-Old athletes never change.
The Red Sox have 7 coaches. So that is $280,000. If both teams coaches are paid that is $560,000. Not really that much money to MLB.
"I do not think baseball of today is any better than it was 30 years ago... I still think Radbourne is the greatest of the pitchers." John Sullivan 1914-Old athletes never change.
AussieDodger wrote:That would be a forfeit then wouldn't it?
Two victories to the A's! 2-0 start to the season Also that makes it one extra start before Harden gets hurt
The agreement with MLB originally called for the coaches to be paid $40,000, it sounds as though MLB is the one breaking the agreement.
"I do not think baseball of today is any better than it was 30 years ago... I still think Radbourne is the greatest of the pitchers." John Sullivan 1914-Old athletes never change.
What a bunch of crybabies. Why are they even paid an extra $40,000 to play overseas? They are getting a free trip out of it. I hope they don't go and lose those two games.
"Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that." ~George Carlin
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by thedude » Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:21 am 
