Matt Moore saw Michael Weiner at the MLB All-Star game last week and came away more impressed than ever with the MLB Players Association leader.
The 51-year-old Weiner has limited use of the right side of his body because of an ongoing battle with a cancerous tumor, but Moore saw “tremendous resilience” from Weiner during their brief conversation in New York City.
“He has handled it with extreme dignity and selflessness,” Moore said. “You can see he’s still going to work every day while battling.
“That’s a continuous thing that he takes home with him every day and to be able to strap up and come into work and continue to lead our union is — you can’t say enough for someone like that.”
Facing a period of transition, the MLBPA named 15-year veteran Tony Clark to the newly-formed position of deputy executive director Tuesday. Weiner will continue working closely with Clark under the new arrangement, and Moore is glad to have the longtime MLBPA executive on his side.
Here’s a partial transcript of a conversation with Moore in which the All-Star left-hander discusses Weiner and articulates his interpretation of the MLBPA’s vision:
On his recent visit with Weiner:
“I saw him in New York at the All-Star game and just said hi and tried to keep it to talk that was just relevant for what was going on.
“Just getting to see him still be able to enjoy the festivities like that meant a lot. It was very cool to see him pushing through times that are very, very tough.”
On Weiner’s personality:
“He’s a very considerate person. He definitely understands the vision of the union and where everybody would like it to be.
“He’s the perfect guy for us right now. You listen to him talk and there’s very little behind his voice that has to do with — if it’s not good for the group and for everybody, then we’re not about it.
“I feel like every time there is something that comes up, it’s smothered. They take care of it without a second or third phone call, it’s just done.”
On the vision of the MLBPA:
“To reserve our rights as players to continue to be able to negotiate our contracts, to be able to play in a safe place, to be treated like we have in the past and to continue that.
“I know that a lot of the issues that they deal with have to do with players’ rights and protecting those. It’s a lot of discussions going on behind the scenes that he leads the charge. Every single time they’re for our best interests and nothing else.”
On Moore’s personal interest in the MLBPA:
“It’s an interest of mine — just out of curiosity to how the inner workings of the league work and understanding a little bit more of the business side of things.
“A lot of it just has to do with — I don’t want to be a part of something that I don’t understand.”
