Baseball players’ union head Michael Weiner died Thursday at his home in Mansfield Township, N.J., after a 15-month battle with brain cancer.
Weiner, who took over as executive director of the Major League Baseball Players’ Association in 2009, was 51.
An inoperable brain tumor was found in August 2012, but he continued to work until his death.
Weiner began working with the MLBPA in 1988 and moved up the ladder to general counsel in 2004. He replaced Donald Fehr as executive director on Dec. 2, 2009.
A Harvard Law School graduate, Weiner was responsible for overseeing the collective bargaining negotiations in 2011 that resulted in a five-year contract. He also was instrumental in the addition of a second wild-card team for each league in the playoffs, the creation of two 15-team leagues, approval of expanded replay and the implementation of baseball’s drug policy.
“All of Major League Baseball mourns the loss of Michael Weiner, a gentleman, a family man, and an extraordinarily talented professional who earned the trust of his membership and his peers throughout the national pastime,” commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. “Our strong professional relationship was built on a foundation of respect and a shared commitment to finding fair solutions for our industry. I appreciated Michael’s tireless, thoughtful leadership of the players and his pivotal role in the prosperous state of baseball today.
“Michael was a courageous human being, and the final year of his remarkable life inspired so many people in our profession. On behalf of Major League Baseball and our 30 clubs, I extend my deepest condolences to Michael’s wife Diane, their three daughters, his colleagues at the MLBPA and his many friends and admirers throughout the game he served with excellence.”
Tony Clark, a former major league All-Star, will succeed Weiner as acting executive director and oversee day-to-day operations of MLBPA.
“First, I want to extend our sincerest, heartfelt condolences to Michael’s wife, Diane, and (three) daughters,” Clark said. “Words cannot describe the love and affection that the players have for Michael, nor can they describe the level of sadness we feel today.
“Not only has the game lost one of its most important and influential leaders in this generation, all involved in the game have lost a true friend. As one of the most beloved and respected members of the baseball community, Michael will be missed by all of us.”
Arizona Diamondbacks reliever and union representative Brad Ziegler tweeted, “Lost a great friend today. Michael Weiner’s body finally succumbed to cancer. One of the best leaders & men I knew. Prayers for his family.”