The speculation had centered on union outrage over the management's decision to withhold payment of $7.8 million in All-Star game revenues that traditionally go into the players' pension and benefits fund.
But union director Don Fehr and the union's executive board chose Thursday to take the public relations high ground and keep the season alive for at least one more week.
The union held a noon conference call to discuss the pension situation, and all but one of the 28 teams were represented. Many of the player representatives reportedly favored an immediate walkout, but all eventually agreed that it would be wiser to stay on the original course.
"Our basic feeling is that the action the owners have taken is highly irresponsible and very provocative -- perhaps intentionally so," Fehr said.
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