Michael Weiner (executive)

American lawyer (1961-2013)

For other people with the same name, see Michael Weiner.

Michael Weiner

4th Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players Association
In office
June 22, 2009 – November 21, 2013
Preceded by| Donald Fehr
Succeeded by| Tony Clark
Personal details
Born| (1961-12-21)December 21, 1961
Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
Died| November 21, 2013(2013-11-21) (aged 51)
Mansfield Township, New Jersey, U.S.
Spouse| Diane Margolin
Children| 3
Alma mater| Williams College
Harvard Law School
Occupation| Sports players union executive, lawyer

Michael S. Weiner (December 21, 1961 – November 21, 2013) was an American attorney who served as the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association for four years. He assumed the role on June 22, 2009, replacing Donald Fehr, becoming only the fifth executive director of the union. Weiner joined the organization in September 1988 and had been general counsel since 2004.

## Early life

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He was born in Paterson, New Jersey.[1] He moved to Pompton Lakes, New Jersey at the age of two and attended Pompton Lakes High School.[2] Weiner received his undergraduate degree in political economy from Williams College in 1983. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1986.

## Career

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From 1986 to 1988, Michael served as law clerk to H. Lee Sarokin, then United States District Court Judge, in Newark, New Jersey.[3]

With Weiner at the helm, the union signed an agreement in November 2011 for a five-year contract running until December 2016, which ensured 21 consecutive years of labor peace in Major League Baseball. The agreement allowed for blood testing for human growth hormone, introduced restraints on bonuses for amateur draft picks and international signings, and restored salary arbitration eligibility for part of a class of players that lost it in the 1980s.[4]

## Personal life and death

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A resident of Mansfield Township, Warren County, New Jersey, Weiner was an active congregant of the Jewish Center of Northwest Jersey in Warren County[5]

Weiner was diagnosed with a brain tumor in August 2012,[6][7] and died 15 months later, on November 21, 2013. He was 51 years old.[8] He was succeeded by his deputy, Tony Clark, the first former Major League Baseball player to lead the union. He was survived by his wife, the former Diane Margolin, and three daughters, Margie, Grace and Sally.

## References

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1. ^ Crasnick, Jerry (June 29, 2009). "'Regular genius' to be next union chief". USA Today. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
2. ^ Graziano, Dan. "N.J. native Michael Weiner in line to become head of MLBPA" NewJerseyNewsroom.com, June 26, 2009, backed up by the Internet Archive as of August 10, 2011. Accessed May 24, 2011. "Weiner's New Jersey roots run deep. He was born on Dec. 21, 1961 in Paterson, where his mother and father were raised and went to high school. The family moved to Pompton Lakes when Weiner was two years old, and he went to high school there."
3. ^ "Michael Weiner, Executive Director". Major League Baseball . Retrieved August 29, 2012.
4. ^ "Michael Weiner, MLB Players' Union Head, Treated For Brain Tumor". ESPN. August 21, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
5. ^ McCullough, Andy. "Michael Weiner, battling inoperable brain tumor, continues to draw people together", The Star-Ledger, January 6, 2013. Accessed May 3, 2015.
6. ^ Shaikin, Bill (August 21, 2012). "Baseball union chief Michael Weiner being treated for brain tumor". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
7. ^ Snyder, Matt (August 21, 2012). "MLBPA executive director Michael Weiner has brain tumor". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
8. ^ "Michael Weiner, head of MLB players' union, dies at 51". New York Post. November 22, 2013.

## External links

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* MLBPA Bio