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Union reacts to Marvin Miller’s continued exclusion from the Hall of Fame

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After former players union chief Marvin Miller fell one vote short of induction to the Hall of Fame on Monday, the union issued a series of statements expressing frustration and disappointment with the 16-man expansion-era committee’s vote.

Among the statements was one from Miller, which read, “Many years ago those who control the Hall decided to rewrite history instead of recording it.”

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Later in the statement, Miller wrote, “A long time ago, it became apparent that the Hall sought to bury me long before my time, as a metaphor for burying the union and eradicating its real influence. Its failure is exemplified by the fact that I and the union of players have received far more support, publicity, and appreciation from countless fans, former players, writers, scholars, experts in labor management relations, than if the Hall had not embarked on its futile and fraudulent attempt to rewrite history. It is an amusing anomaly that the Hall of Fame has made me famous by keeping me out.”

Current union chief Michael Weiner wrote: “Every person who has benefited in the past half century from baseball’s prosperity -- player, owner, executive, manager, coach, or member of the media -- owes a debt to Marvin.”

Former union chief Donald Fehr expressed similar sentiments, writing, “This is a sad day for anyone who is or has been a Major League Player.”

With Miller as its executive director from 1966 to 1982, the players union became one of the strongest unions in the country. Collective bargaining, arbitration and free agency were introduced to baseball during Miller’s reign.

-- Dylan Hernandez in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

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