Clark's 'unforeseen' MLBPA exit won't hurt CBA plan, exec says - ESPN

SURPRISE, Ariz. — MLBPA deputy executive director Bruce Meyer vows that the sudden resignation of union head Tony Clark won't weaken or distract the players' association as it prepares for negotiations with the league on a new collective bargaining agreement.

«Anybody who's going to assume that and act on that is really making a mistake,» Meyer said Wednesday after meeting with Kansas City Royals players. «I'm not going to say this is a great thing; this is unforeseen. At the end of the day, leadership is important and leadership comes and goes, but what remains is the players.

»Our union is strong and always has been strong because of the solidarity of our members, of our players. That is going to continue, and as I've said in the past in different contexts, anybody who underestimates the strength of the MLB Players Association does so at their own peril."

Meyer is the obvious candidate to replace Clark, at least through CBA negotiations that should begin in April. But he has his detractors among union members — just as Clark did over the years — though whoever has the executive director title could be somewhat of a moot point as Meyer believes he will be negotiating anyway.

«I don't anticipate that anybody's going to be leading negotiations other than me,» Meyer said. «The executive director is essentially a CEO, but it's never been a one-man operation with Tony or anyone that came before him.»

Clark resigned Tuesday after an investigation revealed he had an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law who was employed by the union.

The relationship was uncovered during an internal investigation stemming from an ongoing federal one involving Clark and financial improprieties related to Players Way, a youth