ESPN.com: MLB - Player reps: Sept. 11 a factor for most teams

How They Responded

American League
Anaheim: Yes
Baltimore: No
Boston: No
Chicago: Yes
Cleveland: Yes
Detroit: No
Kansas City: Yes
Minnesota: Yes
New York: Yes
Oakland: Yes
Seattle: Yes
Tampa Bay: No
Texas: Yes
Toronto: Yes

National League
Arizona: Yes
Atlanta: No comment
Chicago: No
Cincinnati: Yes
Colorado: No
Florida: No
Houston: No
Los Angeles: Yes
Milwaukee: No
Montreal: Yes
New York: No
Philadelphia: Yes
Pittsburgh: Yes
St. Louis: Yes
San Diego: No comment
San Francisco: Yes

Jason Grimsley (Royals)
"That's the day everyone in this clubhouse and everyone in the country will always have on their mind. I don't think that should be associated with or brought up with baseball or our negotiations. That's something to do with America and I don't feel the two are related. We got a great game but what happened there is a national tragedy. I don't see the correlation. I'm being the eternal optimist here but I'm hoping and thinking something is going to get done."

Jeff Liefer (White Sox -- Alternate)
"I think it definitely affects us because it's like any other business in this country right now. A lot of businesses are going under and if we strike baseball came to an end not as many people would care as in the past. So many jobs being lost. Baseball got's to look at it from that standpoint. I think it may have some bearing but not have all the bearings."

Al Leiter (Mets)
"No one has yet considered any date. No one has discussed it. There has been no talk about a strike date."

Tom Glavine (Braves)
Declined comment.

Doug Glanville (Phillies)
"From what I have heard from a lot of people Sept. 11 obviously was a tragic event in this country's history. There is a lot of concern about that and how to handle things, so sure it's an issue."

Joe Girardi (Cubs)
"We haven't talked about a strike date. We're only trying to make progress with negotiations at this time. To talk about a specific strike date is silly."

Aaron Boone (Reds)
"We've talked about it and sure we are sensitive to it. But it all comes to if the owners are whether to make a deal. We're interested in a legitimate deal and not a stick: it-to-us deal. More than ever we are willing to bend to get a deal done. We understand sensitives of a work stoppage and, on top of that, obviously Sept. 11. Hopefully, everybody in the game will recognize that from the players to the ownership."

Brian Schneider (Expos)
"I know that the team is aware of it as far as taking it into consideration. We haven't talked about a strike date because it hasn't come up or if there is even going to be one. For the most part, we let the negotiations take their toll. We are hoping it doesn't come down to that."

Charles Johnson (Marlins)
"I think at this point right now, we are trying to get this thing resolved. We are not trying to set a strike date. Without a doubt the country is going to mourn and it is going to be a tough date for everyone around the country. To say we considered that, I don't know, because we are trying to fight hard not to have a strike date. Without a doubt, it is going to be a hard time for everyone around the country. Hopefully we won't reach that point. Nobody has really said anything about that because I honestly believe that we still have a good month and a couple of weeks before that time comes."

Barry Zito (Athletics)
"Yes, we've considered that. If we do set a date before then there are going to be a lot of repercussions so we're factoring in that on the one-year anniversary there should be baseball. I think the nation needs baseball on that day just like it did last year. Baseball kind of brings our country together. So I anticipate that we'll have baseball. I think that it's a moral thing. It's business, it's strikes and it's owners and players but it's also something bigger than that which is the moral of the United States and how we come together on that day. So I hope on that day there will be baseball."

Jeff Zimmerman (Rangers)
"We've discussed it, yes we have. It's definitely something that we've felt strongly about and it's definitely a huge part of our decision-making process."

Paul LoDuca (Dodgers)
"To be honest with you, our team hasn't even talked about a strike date at this time, contrary to what was printed in the L.A. Times. We don't want a strike. We all want to work this thing out. We're all very aware of what happened to our nation on September 11."

Vernon Wells (Blue Jays)
"Personally, I think everybody knows we don't need anything to happen around that date (Sept. 11). A strike or a lockout would already be bad for baseball. I think action too close to Sept 11th would make it worse. We haven't discussed what dates we might vote on. The discussions are going well, so hopefully something will be resolved, and we won't have to worry about making a date."

Russ Ortiz (Giants)
"We haven't taken a look at a strike date. I think what the executive director and Donald Fehr have said before is that you have to keep in mind a date. I haven't heard of any date coming up. We're just trying to work it out. I think everyone realizes it's a big day. We're all trying to work this thing out. That's going to be a date etched in everybody's minds forever. As I look at the schedule, we play a game that day. That's not up to us. That date is not going to be forgotten."

Tony Clark (Red Sox/AL)
"Well having taken part in the meeting last week, we've had some positive sessions getting everybody at the table as often as we've been able to over the course of a week and a half has been a plus. Anytime you can get everyone together sharing ideas and working towards an agreement can't help but be a positive, and hopefully we can continue to do so. Right now the focus is on getting a deal done. Not necessarily the circumstances surrounding it (Sept. 11th). Concentrating on the issues right now is first and foremost."

Paul Abbott (Mariners)
"Obviously last year the events of 9/11 showed the insignificance of a game, what ever sport it is the importance is people's lives and the world defense. So, with that happening last year and going through all that we are well aware of that upcoming times, of course we are concerned and we are looking at that date just like th rest of the nation is going to feel that date, too. We don't want to have any more distraction toward that time than the obvious. Definitely, that date screams and blares out at you from the calendar. So, hopefully, it's not a one way negotiation here it's a two-way party and I think that we both have to be on the same page and be well aware of that day we are well aware of if but I hope the other side is, too."

Scott Schoeneweis (Angels)
"It's become a date that's important to our history now and it would be tough to not be on the field, since baseball has been kind of a healing for that, especially last year. So, it's an important day. We are aware of it but as far as the strike is concerned if something can get done before that, that is the best possible scenario. We all know how important it is for our country with baseball being an important part of our culture to be on the field at that point in time would be important whether it happens or not is out of our hands. I don't think that day (9/11) is going to make or break setting a deal or not but obviously it's an important day and we all have that day close to our hearts and we would like to be on the field when that day comes."

Kevin Young (Pirates)
"That (date) is a big deal to us, obviously. The main thing is, after all these things are taken into consideration, (a strike) would be a last resort and people have to be reminded of that. These are not new issues that have just popped up over the last couple of months. Last year, we did sign a one-year extension to the agreement. So any talk about a strike is only being brought forward to get something accomplished, not to necessarily have to go through with a strike. That being said, all these things have been taken into consideration. We all know what the nation has been through over the last year and we have taken that into consideration. The fact of the matter is, like I said, setting a strike date, is a last resort."

Jason Johnson (Orioles)
"No ... no ... no. I don't know why we would think about anything like that, because all we're thinking about is getting the basic agreement done. I mean whatever happens with (our) union and the owners is up the negotiations. You know we're keeping in touch an stuff like that. You know we haven't heard too much lately, so it's kind of still up in the air. We're just waiting for some more news. Hopefully soon."

Gregg Zaun (Astros)
"I don't even think we've discussed that part of it yet (9/11 and how it affects the Strike). Right now there are more important things to deal with, like the issues. Worrying about a day on the calendar that has significance as far as the history of this nation to this point it's a sad thing that has happened and it would be sad if we decide to strike on that day or anywhere near that day because baseball has healing qualities and I know we all want to be on the field Sept. 11. But honestly, we haven't even discussed that part of it yet. I think both of the dates that we have discussed were both before and after that day and unless something crazy happens, and I say crazy because negotiations are going quite well, I don't anticipate going on strike before and I anticipate that when that date comes, I would pretty much bet that we've already got a deal done. (That date) is not something that the executive board has discussed in any great length, if at all. And I have not been involved in any conversations that even mention September 11. Right now we're working on hammering out a deal and with that hopefully we can avoid even setting a strike date."

Mike DeJean (Brewers)
"We haven't even talked anything about strike dates. It hasn't come up yet."

Mark Loretta (Brewers)
"We haven't started talking about possible strike dates but I'm sure if we get to that point, it (9-11) will be a factor. It has it be. Hypothetically, guys have brought it up. We hope we don't get to that point but if we do, it will be a consideration."

Todd Zeile (Rockies)
"We haven't even taken a strike date into consideration at this point. Sept. 4 or Sept. 15 or Sept. 11 isn't a consideration at this point because there's no strike date under consideration. I think as a whole, the industry takes consideration in regard to Sept. 11, the economy and the affect it may or may not have on fans. The only issue at this point is to try and get a deal done without any strike date being set or any strike ever coming and having to be carried out. Certainly, if there is a discussion about the subject, people in this game are going to be sensitive to the year anniversary of Sept. 11."

Craig Counsell (Diamondbacks)
"We have talked about it. It definitely is a consideration. In my view, I realize baseball had a profound impact on the country healing, but September 11th is way bigger then baseball. The two are not related. September is a national tragedy and they shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence, in my mind. September 11th takes precedence and is totally separated from baseball. I don't know if it will come into play at all. September 11th is way bigger then baseball. What we do pales in significance to that date. We talked about it with our meeting with Don. We discussed the date and the significance that baseball has with it. We discussed the impact baseball is going to have on our country but that is about as far as it went."

Steve Kline (Cardinals)
That's a problem for everybody. Baseball brought a lot of joy back to the world after that happened. But, as a player rep, it's not about money, it's about getting things right. We want to get baseball right again instead of going for work stoppages every four or five years. Sometimes its better to just shut everything down and get the right stuff. We're in first place, you think we want to go on strike? I love playing this game, the fans are great, especially in St. Louis. There are a lot of problems in baseball and the fans know it. Our guys worked hard to get this union. We're not out here to screw the fans but obviously sometimes it looks like that. Sometimes you have to set that date just to get them to bargain. That's our only tool. People just see black and white, they don't see the gray in between.

Denny Hocking (Minnesota)
"There is a general importance to be playing ball on 9-11 to everyone who went through that a year ago. I has definitely been discussed."

Paul Shuey (Cleveland -- traded to Dodgers)
"We have talked about it a little, but obviously not enough."

Mike Stanton (Yankees)
"When we do talk about striking, everything is taken into account. We don't want to do it (strike), we don't want to even talk about it."

John Flaherty (Devil Rays)
"I has not been been talked about ..."

Damian Easley (Tigers)
"We haven't talked about it ..."

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