Former Philadelphia Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is live-tweeting the MLB/MLBPA negotiations
Former Philadelphia Phillies player and GM Ruben Amaro Jr. might be the only optimist left in the baseball world.
More than three months into the MLB lockout, which began on December 2, fans are frustrated and disheartened, players are furious and distrustful, and the league continues to make it impossible for people to enjoy baseball. The owners have destroyed so much of their relationship with the players that it’s hard to see them ever coming to an agreement at this point.
And yet Amaro remains hopeful.
On Sunday, ahead of yet another meeting between the two sides, he tweeted that he was “fired up.”
Unfortunately, the meeting did not end well, and therefore, Amaro’s tweet “did not age well.”
This did not age well. Hope they get it together soon.
— Ruben Amaro, Jr. (@RAJr_20) March 6, 2022
Before MLB canceled the first two series of the regular season last week, Amaro was optimistic about the outcome of the deadline negotiations.
I will remain optimistic that both sides will get to an agreement. But I still have great concern for my beloved sport. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
— Ruben Amaro, Jr. (@RAJr_20) February 28, 2022
I suppose all we can do is cross our fingers for tomorrow’s reported session. Cmon guys. Lets do this. @MLBPA @MLB
— Ruben Amaro, Jr. (@RAJr_20) March 2, 2022
Unfortunately for Amaro, the Phillies, and the rest of us, the latest update is worse. According to MLB’s Glen Caplin, the two sides are “deadlocked.”
MLB’s Glen Caplin cont’d: "On some issues, they even went backwards. Simply put, we are deadlocked. We will try to figure out how to respond, but nothing in this proposal makes it easy.”
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 6, 2022
MLB suggested that the MLBPA had verbally offered something different on prearb pool.
This is the first work stoppage since the players’ strike of 1994-95, which happened during Amaro’s playing career. Ironically, he spent those two seasons with Cleveland, in between his two stints with the Phillies.
Amaro was also in the minor leagues during the most recent lockout in 1990, the year before his big-league debut. Unlike the current lockout, which is nearing the 100-day mark, the lockout of 1990 lasted barely over a month (February 15-March 18), and though Opening Day was delayed by a week, the season was extended. This time, MLB is saying they will not make up any missed games.
When Amaro’s father, Ruben Sr., played in the majors, the first work stoppage was still years away. He debuted in 1958 and wrapped up his career in 1969 – including six seasons with the Phillies – a few years before the inaugural work stoppage, the strike of 1972.
That Amaro Jr. can remain an optimist after two work stoppages is inspiring. After everything he has seen growing up in baseball, playing in the minors and majors, and working on the field and in the front office, he could have grown disillusioned by now. However, the fact that he remains an optimist – and the fact that he remains in baseball – should encourage the rest of us not to give up hope, either.
If he’s stuck around this long, it means there’s something worth sticking around for.