He also has won economic success for members: The average salary rose from $289,000 in 1983 to an estimated $3.26 million this season.
That success, however, is seen by many to have contributed to the anything-goes mentality of baseball when the union opposed random drug testing long after it had become a reality in other sports.
Fehr and Orza most recently have been in the news because the union failed to expeditiously order that samples from a confidential round of drug testing in 2003 be destroyed. Alex Rodriguez and Sammy Sosa have been identified as steroid users from those samples, which have been preserved because of a court order sought by federal officials.
Former commissioner Fay Vincent said Fehr protected players at a cost to the game's credibility.
"He was wrong to see things in terms of civil liberties for the players and not in terms of the overall interests of baseball," Vincent said. "But I don't want to harp on that as it is just one aspect of an outstanding career."
Fehr said he understands the criticism that links him to the widespread use of steroids. Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro are among the players linked to steroids.
"If we -- I -- had known or understood what the circumstances were a little better, then perhaps we would have moved sooner," Fehr said.
The union, which has been livid about leaks from a list of 104 players who proved positive in the 2003 round of testing, has sued unsuccessfully to get the list out of the hands of federal prosecutors. It is pursuing the case through the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Fehr saw this as a good time to make a transition not only because of the collective bargaining issue but because the union may face a challenge from owners over the amateur draft, as many owners would like to see the size of bonuses paid to amateurs capped, as has been done in other sports.
Fehr in many ways has been an extension of Miller, the pioneer who always seemed a step ahead of owners during the union's infancy. But Fehr showed a flexibility that had been missing in previous labor negotiations when he reached agreements without work stoppages in 2002 and 2006.
Miller was at times critical of Fehr's leadership -- he recently said he never would have approved any testing for steroids -- but is praising him now.
"Overall, on balance, I think he's done a fine job," Miller told ESPN.com. "It's still one of the most solid unions you're going to find anywhere."
Selig also praised Fehr.
"Don has represented his constituency with passion, loyalty and great diligence," Selig said in a statement. "Although we have had our differences, I have always respected his role. . . . We hope to continue to build upon the game's prosperity as we work with the new leadership of the players association."
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Times staff writer Kevin Baxter contributed to this report.
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