In Latest Move, Umpires File Suit

Less than two weeks after saying they would quit en masse, umpires turned around and sued baseball Monday for the right to withdraw their resignations.

In a 14-page complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, the Major League Umpires Assn. also accused the American League and the commissioner’s office of saying they intend to withhold termination pay of up to $400,000 per umpire.

Umpires, whose resignations are set to take effect Sept. 2, also claimed baseball has offered them up to $2 million in future gains if they join a dissident group in the union that is trying to fire its negotiator, Richie Phillips.

The resignation tactic was chosen because the umpires’ current labor deal has a no-strike clause, and they fear owners would lock them out after it expires.

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Ken Griffey Jr., signed through the 2000 season, was offered a $72-million, five-year extension last September, a $105-million, seven-year deal in April and an eight-year package last week, the Seattle Times reported.

The newspaper attributed the offers to unidentified sources and did not report the value of the latest package.

“What about my pitching?” the paper quoted Griffey as saying to team President Chuck Armstrong.

In October, Griffey and Alex Rodriguez made clear they wanted a winning team. General Manager Woody Woodward added one pitcher who has stayed healthy, closer Jose Mesa.

But the Mariners have foundered and trail the first-place Texas Rangers by 11 games in the American League West.

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Jim Abbott, released by the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, said his baseball career is over. He was 2-8 with a 6.91 earned-run average when he was released. . . . Catcher Greg Myers was reacquired by the Atlanta Braves, who sent minor-league right-hander Doug Dent to the San Diego Padres. . . . Outfielder Butch Huskey was traded from the Seattle Mariners to the Boston Red Sox for minor-league left-hander Robert Ramsay. . . . The Cincinnati Reds put left-hander Steve Avery on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained shoulder and recalled left-hander B.J. Ryan.