MLB will try to implement a policy on domestic violence

Reporting from Kansas City, Mo. —  On the day after the NHL suspended Kings defenseman Slaya Voynov after his arrest for alleged domestic violence, the incoming commissioner of Major League Baseball said his league hopes to have a policy in place to cover such incidents next year.

Rob Manfred, who replaces the retiring Bud Selig in January, said the league and its players’ union have had multiple conversations about the issue.

“We’re having ongoing discussions with them,” Manfred said before Game 2 of the World Series. “The tone has been very positive. I’m sure, like with most issues in recent years, we’ll come up with a good solution.”

Tony Clark, the executive director of the union, declined to commit to a timetable for the adoption of a policy.

“Our commitment is to making sure we have a policy that is representative of the concerns of both parties,” Clark said. “Is there a time frame? Is there a drop-dead date by which we want to have it in place? No.”

The issue of how professional sports leagues handle domestic violence issues exploded into a national debate when the NFL suspended Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice for two games in July, then suspended him indefinitely in September, ostensibly after the league reviewed additional video of the incident.

Rice has appealed the indefinite suspension and reportedly has filed a grievance against the Ravens, claiming they wrongfully terminated his contract.

The NFL had no domestic violence policy in place at the time of the Rice incident. The NBA is reviewing its policy to decide whether discipline should be imposed before a conviction. The NHL disciplined Voynov under a clause in its collective bargaining agreement authorizing suspension of a player “subject to a criminal investigation.”

Until MLB adopts a policy, the commissioner would have the right to impose discipline for domestic violence incidents under the “just cause” provision of the collective bargaining agreement. The union would have the right to file a grievance on behalf of the player.

“We watch what goes on in other leagues, to understand all the distinct issues,” Manfred said, “and try to pay attention to what’s going on around us.”

Dodger blues

As the San Francisco Giants share the credit for their success this season, they would like to thank the Dodgers.

Or, at least, to thank Dodgers fans.

The Giants announced a sellout for every home game this season, so the team is used to playing in front of big crowds. But postseason success means winning before large and hostile crowds on the road. The Giants and Dodgers played 19 times this season, and nine of the 10 largest crowds for a Giants game this year came at Dodger Stadium.

“It’s almost like a playoff atmosphere,” Giants General Manager Brian Sabean said. “In my estimation, we play 19 playoff games against the Dodgers.”

Money-losing advice

Those stories about the fat doctor puffing on cigarettes and advising his patient to go on a diet and quit smoking? How about the financial advisor who cashed in retirement funds to buy a World Series ticket?

No, seriously.

Cale Hill told the Kansas City Star he paid $950 to see Game 1 from a seat four rows behind the Giants dugout.

“I actually took the money out of my IRA,” Hill said.

He said he checked to see whether he would incur penalties for early withdrawal, found out he would, and bought the ticket anyway. Hope he doesn’t frame the newspaper clipping on his office wall.