Rainbow could be emerging from baseball's dark cloud

<br>(New York-AP) -- There's optimism on management's side of baseball's ongoing labor negotiations. Owners negotiator Rob Manfred says that he still believes it's possible for the two

Friday, July 26th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(New York-AP) -- There's optimism on management's side of baseball's ongoing labor negotiations. Owners negotiator Rob Manfred says that he still believes it's possible for the two sides to reach a contract agreement without having another work stoppage. Baseball's chief operating officer, Bob DuPuy, agrees, saying there was further progress made concerning revenue-sharing in Thursday's bargaining session.

The player's side is downplaying the progress. Union negotiator Gene Orza says there are still substantial problems, although he agrees that an agreement is possible without a walkout.

Negotiations continue Friday before a five-day session begins Monday.