August 12, 1994 - the day baseball stood still
A look back at the 1994 MLB players strike which ultimately led to the cancellation of the World Series
The baseball players union's executive board, led by Donald Fehr, had unanimously authorized a strike, with a work stoppage scheduled for Aug. 12, 1994, unless an agreement with the owners was reached before then.Bruce Young
Richard Ravitch was the chief negotiator for baseball team owners in 1994.Joe Tabacca/The Associated Press
A sign apologizing for the cancellation of the baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros is visable between the legs of the Hank Aaron statue as the players go on strike.John Bazemore/The Associated Press
At the time of the strike the Montreal Expos had the best record in baseball at 74-40. Many believe the work stoppage was a contributing factor to the ultimate demise of the franchise, which relocated to Washington, D.C. a decade later.The Canadian Press
Toronto Blue Jays President and CEO Paul Beeston and Houston Astros Chairman and CEO Drayton McLane arrive for the latest round of labor talks with Major League Baseball players on August 25, 1994. Players had been insisting for months that owners come to the table while the owners refused until federal mediators entered the talks the day after the strike began.Kathy Willens/The Associated Press
Yankee Stadium sits empty an hour before acting Commissioner Bud Selig canceled the 1994 baseball season because of the player's strike.Ray Stubblebine/Reuters
The 1994 baseball season ended with a fax instead of a fastball. The decision to cancel the season and World Series, which came on the 34th day of the strike by players, was reached in a conference call among the owners led by acting commissioner Bud Selig. This will be the first time in 90 years that a World Series will not be played.Allen Fredrickson
Kevin Malone was the Expos' rookie GM when a strike hit in 1994. He still has a poster of a championship ring for that year's team -- a picture of a ring that was never made for a championship that never was. Inscribed on one side is 'Montreal-land of opportunity.' When the strike ended Malone was given 72 hours to dismantle the team.
An editorial cartoon published in the Globe and MailBrian Gable/The Globe and Mail