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LAKELAND, FL – Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal is one of eight players on the MLB Players Association executive subcommittee, alongside Marcus Semien, Chris Bassitt, Jake Cronenworth, Paul Skenes, Brent Suter, Pete Fairbanks and Cedric Mullins.
There has been a major development.
Tony Clark, the MLBPA's executive director, resigned from his role Tuesday, Feb. 17, less than 10 months before the collective bargaining agreement expires between MLB and the MLBPA. Bruce Meyer, the deputy executive director who serves as the union's lead negotiator, is the top candidate to replace Clark on an interim basis.
"It's tough, obviously, the stuff that I've seen so far, but it doesn't really change the state of the union," said Skubal, who has been a part of the executive subcommittee since December 2024. "I think we're still as strong as ever. The union has always been about the players, and it's up to us to accomplish what we want to accomplish."
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A statement from the MLBPA on Tuesday confirmed Clark's resignation and supported what Skubal said about the status of the union.
"As always, the players remain focused on their ongoing preparations for collective bargaining this year," the statement read. "The strength of this union is – and always will be – the solidarity of our membership. We have a long history of fighting for the rights of every player, and we're committed to making sure we can continue that fight successfully."
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Clark became the first former player to be executive director of the MLBPA when he replaced Michael Weiner in December 2013. The 53-year-old held the position until stepping down in February 2026.
He played 15 MLB seasons, including with the Tigers from 1995-2001.
"I have a lot of respect for him," said Skubal, the reigning two-time American League Cy Young winner. "Moving on is a tough decision, and resigning is a tough thing all the way around, but as far as what I can share with you guys about it, I don't know what I'm allowed to share, so I'll just leave it at that."
Why did Clark resign?
It's because an internal investigation revealed an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law, who works as a union employee, as reported by USA TODAY. There's also an ongoing federal investigation into the MLBPA's finances, though the union has already completed an internal review into similar issues.
[ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ]
The expiration of the collective bargaining agreement – at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 1, 2026 – is expected to be an important time in baseball history.
Owners are gearing up to push for a salary cap.
The union is opposed.
"I don't think this has any impact on negotiating," Skubal said. "Bruce has been our lead negotiator, and he's done it in the past. Although Tony has been the face of the PA, in terms of negotiating, I'm still as confident as ever in Bruce and everyone else that we got behind him. I think there's a lot of strong people in the PA and very valuable people that are going to work for us and try to accomplish what we want to accomplish when it comes bargaining time."
Contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him @EvanPetzold.
Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon during the season and Tuesday afternoon during the offseason on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tony Clark resigns from MLB Players Association; Tarik Skubal reacts
Continue reading...
There has been a major development.
Tony Clark, the MLBPA's executive director, resigned from his role Tuesday, Feb. 17, less than 10 months before the collective bargaining agreement expires between MLB and the MLBPA. Bruce Meyer, the deputy executive director who serves as the union's lead negotiator, is the top candidate to replace Clark on an interim basis.
"It's tough, obviously, the stuff that I've seen so far, but it doesn't really change the state of the union," said Skubal, who has been a part of the executive subcommittee since December 2024. "I think we're still as strong as ever. The union has always been about the players, and it's up to us to accomplish what we want to accomplish."
TUESDAY'S OBSERVATIONS: Inside the Justin Verlander vs. Troy Melton chess match
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A statement from the MLBPA on Tuesday confirmed Clark's resignation and supported what Skubal said about the status of the union.
"As always, the players remain focused on their ongoing preparations for collective bargaining this year," the statement read. "The strength of this union is – and always will be – the solidarity of our membership. We have a long history of fighting for the rights of every player, and we're committed to making sure we can continue that fight successfully."
WEED TALK: Time for rule that cost Javier Báez his WBC stint to go up in smoke
Clark became the first former player to be executive director of the MLBPA when he replaced Michael Weiner in December 2013. The 53-year-old held the position until stepping down in February 2026.
He played 15 MLB seasons, including with the Tigers from 1995-2001.
"I have a lot of respect for him," said Skubal, the reigning two-time American League Cy Young winner. "Moving on is a tough decision, and resigning is a tough thing all the way around, but as far as what I can share with you guys about it, I don't know what I'm allowed to share, so I'll just leave it at that."
Why did Clark resign?
It's because an internal investigation revealed an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law, who works as a union employee, as reported by USA TODAY. There's also an ongoing federal investigation into the MLBPA's finances, though the union has already completed an internal review into similar issues.
[ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ]
The expiration of the collective bargaining agreement – at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 1, 2026 – is expected to be an important time in baseball history.
Owners are gearing up to push for a salary cap.
The union is opposed.
"I don't think this has any impact on negotiating," Skubal said. "Bruce has been our lead negotiator, and he's done it in the past. Although Tony has been the face of the PA, in terms of negotiating, I'm still as confident as ever in Bruce and everyone else that we got behind him. I think there's a lot of strong people in the PA and very valuable people that are going to work for us and try to accomplish what we want to accomplish when it comes bargaining time."
Contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him @EvanPetzold.
Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon during the season and Tuesday afternoon during the offseason on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tony Clark resigns from MLB Players Association; Tarik Skubal reacts
Continue reading...
