After 25 years at the top of the Major League Baseball Players Association Donald Fehr announced his retirement on Monday and will step down at the end of March 2010. Michael Weiner, who is currently serving as the union’s general counsel, is going to replace the 60-year-old Fehr. He was part of the group, which presented Baseball’s case for reinstatement to the IOC last week. According to the statement of IBAF president Dr. Harvey Schiller, Fehr will continue to support the Olympic bid until the decisive IOC congress in October.
STATEMENT FROM DR. HARVEY SCHILLER, PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL BASEBALL FEDERATION, REGARDING THE RETIREMENT OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DONALD FEHR:
“There are few people who are more responsible for the growth of international baseball than Don Fehr. His work in expanding the global opportunities for all players, as well as his support of one of the most extensive anti-doping programmes in sport, are two big reasons why baseball is thriving in these tough economic times and is a strong candidate for readmission to the Olympic programme in 2016. Don’s positive imprint on the game is indelible, and we are glad he will continue to be involved into the fall and will stay a friend and ardent supporter of baseball’s growth well into the future.”