NEW YORK — I’m no baseball insider, but I had more than an inkling that the MLB owners’ lockout was going to end Thursday, and probably even at a reasonable hour. Even after the international draft emerged as a last-second obstacle, I was confident.
That’s because Bob Nightengale, whom I had hoped to interview in the middle of the week, asked if we could speak Friday morning instead. Nightengale, the longtime USA Today baseball scoophound, had spent the last week or so tailing the MLB labor negotiations around the country, negotiations that he says were even more contentious than reported.
“The rancor between the sides — there was so much distrust. I’m not sure if ‘hatred’ is the right word, but if it’s not the right word, it’s close,” Nightengale said. “A lot of ripping, each side would take their shots at the other side, not on the record ... made it difficult for reporters, I think.”
