MLB headed to 1st work stoppage since ’95 as deal expires

By RONALD BLUM and STEPHEN HAWKINS
AP Baseball Writers

IRVING, Texas (AP) — Major League Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement expired at 11:59 p.m. EST, plunging the sport toward a management lockout that will end labor peace after 9,740 days over 26 1/2 years. Players and owners had successfully reached four consecutive agreements without a stoppage, but they have been headed for a confrontation for more than two years. Talks ended when management negotiators left the union’s hotel about nine hours before the deal lapsed. Players said MLB did not make any new central economic proposals this week.