Acting MLB Commissioner Bud Selig denied a story in
yesterday's MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL that he is interested in
becoming full-time commissioner. Selig told many media outlets
yesterday that he is not a candidate for the full-time post at
this time. Selig: "Nothing has changed. .... I haven't changed
my mind. I haven't even thought about it. Nothing is going to
change until we have a labor agreement, then we will go out and
look for a new commissioner" (Baltimore SUN, 6/20). But others
close to Selig "offered thoughts to the contrary," according to
Murray Chass of the N.Y. TIMES. One Milwaukee city official said
he understood that Selig has "quietly told people in the
community" that once plans for a new stadium are approved, he
would leave the team to become permanent commissioner. The
official said, "that's what's been circulating." Two other
people in baseball told Chass that Selig has been "running" for
the job that has been paying him $1.25M a year. Selig denied
both claims (N.Y. TIMES, 6/20). ESPN's Chris Myers said a source
"close to the situation" told him: "Look for Selig to be the
Commissioner, but only after a labor agreement is in place" ("Up
Close," ESPN, 6/19).
STILL A CONFLICT: In Milwaukee, Bob Wolfley notes that even
if Selig divested himself of all ownership interest in the
Brewers to become commissioner, the charges of conflict of
interest "will not disappear." Yesterday's JOURNAL SENTINEL
reported that Selig's daughter, Wendy Selig-Prieb, currently
Brewers VP & General Counsel, would likely assume control of the
club and "any decision Selig makes or influence he wields that is
seen to benefit her will raise the same flags about conflict of
interest or the appearance of conflict" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL
SENTINEL, 6/20)
NEWS & NOTES: The MLBPA has asked arbitrator Nicholas Zumas
to delay Albert Belle's three-game suspension in order to hold a
hearing on whether the penalty was proper under baseball's rules.
Zumas is expected to rule tomorrow (Akron BEACON JOURNAL, 6/20).
In Cleveland, Bud Shaw writes AL President Gene Budig "botched"
the Belle ruling in "every way possible." Reducing the
suspension to three games "says only Budig was too harsh to begin
with but too proud to do the right thing and reverse himself"
(Cleveland PLAIN-DEALER, 6/19)....Ken Griffey, Jr. broke his
right hand last night and is expected to miss 2-3 weeks (Mult.,
6/20).
