Hyman Roth thinks he’s going to live forever
Bud Selig says he’s done in 2012. He also said that he was done in 2008 and 2004 and I’m pretty sure he was going to be done in 2000 as well. But this time, dadgummit, he really means it:
Reuters: Two years ago you told us that none of your cohorts would believe you when you said that in two years time when your contract was up, that you were going to walk away…
Selig: (interrupting) I am done this time. I’m going to be 78 years old — if anybody thinks I’m doing it after that… I know, I’ve said it seven times and I understand all the concerns, and you are right to have them, but this time (pounding his fist on the table) I’m done. I’ve got four more years. That’s enough. “
Doug Pappas had a clock on his website counting down the days until Bud Selig’s retirement. Doug died in 2004, and the Society for American Baseball Research took it over and reset the clock when Selig re-upped in 2006. It doesn’t appear that the clock is there anymore, but I’m mentally resetting it in his memory.
God I hope he’s done. I’ve been waiting for the day that “good ole uncle Bud” left office (I always joked with friends that Selig reminds you of that crazy uncle that no one understands).
Overall, I would grade his commissioner era as a C- (and that’s being generous)
-Zach Sanders
http://www.mlbnotebook.com
Remember, you heard it hear first. Bob Watson is the commission-elect. And it won’t be 4 years.
I understand Selig has had considerable gaffes, and I’m no big fan, but overall don’t you think Bud’s employers, the owners, have to be pleased with his performance?
Absolutely, Tad. And that’s one thing many people forget: The Commissioner of baseball—despite being a rather presidential figure for much of the 20th century—is still the representative of the owners. In that he has done his job well, and that’s why he has kept his job as long as he has.
My view of Selig is that he has done some good things and some bad things, and that neither demonizing him nor canonizing him is appropriate.
That said, he has certainly not been an inspiring figure, and on the whole I think baseball would do well with a change of leadership.
In four years Cuban should be out of the federal pen, Selig and his ownership shell game may be gone as well – do you think Sam Zell can hold out that long?
Can you ask the THT people to make an actual countdown clock? They gave you a comments section, or is it too early to ask for extra benefits?
@ Reuters Canada there are a couple ( I don’t understand why 2 ) of lengthier pieces on the Selig sitdown. I thought there were a couple of interesting tidbits.
1. He admits that the selling of ads for MLB Network ain’t goin as well as they had hoped ( no surprise, but still a confirmation )
2. He’s open to a day WS game. I think this could happen. I think it could happen because as Bud acknowledges, WS ratings are down. He’s smart enough to not be too concerned about that because as he also notes, local TV revenues are very strong. So, my point is, the WS is increasingly less important to MLB $ wise, so scheduling a day game might not be as big a deal as it was “back in the day” when WS ratings were higher and it was a more important property to MLB.