Red Sox World Series Title in Jeopardy
by Frank Coffey
Boston - The U.S. Department of Labor has charged the Boston Red Sox with widespread use of underage workers during the 2007 MLB season, putting the team's World Series Championship title in question and sending a chill through Red Sox Nation. "This isn't China," said a Labor Department spokesman.
This is a very serious matter," said a Labor Department spokesman. "We received credible allegations regarding underage workers being employed both on and off the by field the Red Sox, and, after conducting a full-scale investigation, have concluded there is sufficient evidence for the Department to charge the Red Sox with violations of Federal Child Labor Standards."
Penalties for violations of the Department's Child Labor statutes can be severe, ranging from fines and jail terms to the cancellation of existing contracts and the voiding of all pre-existing awards if determined to be unfairly gained through the use of child labor.
It is this latter penalty which has sent fear through the Red Sox organization and its legion of ardent fans collectively known as Red Sox Nation."If the Red Sox are found to have used underage workers during the period covered by last season's baseball season," said the Labor Department spokesman, "all punitive options are on the table, including the mandatory rescinding of the World Series championship award.
"This isn't China. We will not tolerate the use of children for the pursuit of profit."The Associated Press is reporting that the employees being investigated are General Manager Theo Epstein and popular rookies, Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury, all of whom, it is alleged, were 13-years of age during the 2007 season.
Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino refused comment; Epstein, Pedroia and Ellsbury were said to still be on Thanksgiving break.
