Disney Is Right, Union Is Wrong in This Case

In making the most important decision in its tenure as Angel caretaker, Disney is supported by a sense of ethics and morality.

Tony Phillips, however, is backed by something far more powerful.

The stinking baseball union.

Disney made the proper move Monday, helping a man who will not help himself, removing him from those his presence would harm.

It was also a move that will last as long as it takes a New York lawyer to straighten his socks.

Phillips was suspended, what, Monday night? The baseball players’ association will file a grievance, when, today?

Anybody want to bet he is on the Anaheim Stadium field for the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader against the New York Yankees?

Despite its obvious ignorance of crack pipes, it is hoped the union has a working knowledge of ear plugs. Their hero will be needing them.

What happened Monday is honorable. What will probably happen later this week will be a disgrace.

Disney is fighting the good fight, but the union will win. It always wins.

Ask any of the dozens of guys who felt cheated by playing behind the doped-up left arm of Steve Howe.

Ask John Hirschbeck, the umpire who was wiping the spit from his face while Roberto Alomar led his team to within three wins of a World Series.

It matters not that Disney is taking the high road, because in the baseball business, all roads lead through the players’ association.

Buoyed by members who gladly trade low standards for high-paying contracts, the union is a essentially group of New York suits who have ruled the game for two decades.

It is less than coincidental that during that time, the sport has lost the title “national pastime.” The union has turned utility infielders into millionaires, and the public into football fans.

With the lack of a commissioner, the union is no longer only part of the game, it is the game.

During an official brunch before the recent Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Cooperstown, N.Y., union leader Donald Fehr was spotted schmoozing among baseball’s greats.

“What’s he doing here?” said one old-timer.

“Are you kidding me?” said another. “He’s more popular than most of the guys in this room.”

That sort of power is fine when it is used to protect a rookie from being thrown penniless into the street on opening day.

That sort of power is obscene when it can protect someone such as Tony Phillips.

It is good to know that somebody, whether through courage or naivete, is unafraid to play by different rules.

By acquiring Rickey Henderson to temporarily replace Phillips, the Angels showed their fans that they take felony cocaine charges seriously.

By making that replacement permanent Monday, they showed that they take remorse and rehabilitation just as seriously.

In keeping with a toothless league drug policy that owners and players have never agreed upon, Phillips agreed last week to undergo the random testing and part-time treatment.

He wanted to be treated as if he has only a little bit of a drug problem, something that will make perfect sense to those who are only a little bit pregnant.

The Angels wanted more. Their fans deserved more.

Because Phillips had been cleared to play by both union and baseball doctors, another facet of the drug policy, the union told the Angels to leave him alone and let him play.

Right.

With every outrageous incident--and Phillips is the king of outrageous incidents--we will wonder whether he did it because he is on drugs.

Did he scream at the umpire because he was high? Did he break that bat and scream at the pitcher because he was stoned? All that hustle, is that real?

While the fans wonder from above, what do you think his teammates are thinking down below?

Even on his best days, he is a loud distraction, more of a spectacle than a leader. Henderson can replace him on the field. Calmness can replace him in the clubhouse.

So Disney told the guy to get lost.

And now the union will tell Disney to get lost.

“It’s inappropriate behavior,” claimed Gene Orza, associate general counsel for the players’ association.

Was he talking about Phillips and police allegations--which Phillips has not publicly denied--that he was found in a motel room with a cocaine-loaded pipe and lighter?

Was he talking about Phillips’ appearance on a field in Chicago two days later, joking with teammates and signing autographs?

No, he was talking about the Angels’ refusal to put a man in uniform while he is still sick.

Inappropriate?

The entire players’ association is inappropriate.

Steel workers need unions. Workers dropped into mine shafts every morning need unions.

Baseball players need perspective.

And about their labor leaders. So when does somebody file a grievance against them?