GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Austin Hedges, one of the Guardians’ assistant player reps, was a popular man in the clubhouse on Tuesday following the resignation of Tony Clark, longtime executive director of Major League Baseball Players Association.
Clark and members of the MLBPA were scheduled to visit the Guardians on Tuesday in Goodyear for their annual spring-training visit, but it was abruptly canceled following the news of Clark’s resignation.
“A lot of players were curious,” said Hedges, following the first full squad workout of the spring. ”I told everyone, ‘Let’s just wait until more details come out.’”
The news came as a surprise with the basic agreement between players and owners set to expire Dec. 1, 2026, after this season.
“It’s shocking in its timing,” said Hedges. “Every CBA (basic agreement) is the biggest CBA, but we’re just going to have to wait and see what happens.”
Steven Kwan is the Guardians’ player rep.
“I’m sure Kwan and me are going to be on some phone calls,” said Hedges. “Tony Clark has been the executive director for as long as I’ve been playing. I’m not sure who will replace him, but I’m sure the union will band together.”
Clark, who played 15 years in the big leagues, was named executive director in 2013 following the death of Michael Weiner.
According to ESPN, Clark resigned because of an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law, who also works for the union. The MLBPA is also being investigated by the U.S. District Court of Eastern New York for questionable financial practices.
