MLB President & COO Paul Beeston is interviewed by
Terry Lefton of BRANDWEEK. Asked if he saw the need for MLB
organizational changes, Beeston said, "Absolutely. Right
now there are too many people reporting to too many
different people. It can't work that way." Asked if the
MLBPA would oppose an MLB version of the NFL's QB Club,
where sponsors receive a "package of players and MLB marks,"
Beeston said, "What could be better? ... The reality of the
situation is that no matter who does it you are going to end
up promoting the top six or eight players anyway. So if
everyone is on the same page, I can't believe the union
wouldn't support it" (BRANDWEEK, 8/17 issue).
THE FANS: In breaking down the much touted poll taken
for MLB owners regarding realignment of 801 baseball "fans,"
ages 16 and older, the AP found that 13% of those polled
"weren't familiar" with the Rockies or Marlins, who joined
MLB in '93; 44% said they hadn't heard of the D'Backs or
Devil Rays; and at the start of their interview, 70% said
they didn't know that MLB was "considering realignment."
Also, 48% said they planned to attend fewer than two games
this season. The AP: "From their responses, it would appear
that these are casual fans at best" (AP, 8/17).
WHERE THEY'RE AT: In Tampa, Joe Henderson: "A plan to
dramatically realign [MLB] teams has stalled." Phillies
Chair Bill Giles: "We don't have enough votes at the moment
to do what we want to do. We keep tweaking it every day to
see if we can get enough votes, but we haven't done it yet.
Right now, it's back to the drawing board." Giles said that
up to six NL teams "are strongly opposed" to the radical
realignment plan (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 8/19). USA TODAY's Hal
Bodley writes that MLB's realignment committee "has not had
problems devising a scheme that helps and is attractive to
at least 25 teams. The problem is that from two to five
teams would not benefit and would vote no" (USA TODAY,
8/19). Acting Commissioner Bud Selig, on if a majority vote
could decide the realignment issue: "It's so complex, our
own lawyers don't know" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 8/17).
HOW'S IT PLAYING? Reaction continues to MLB's radical
realignment proposal (RRA), or the "16-14" plan as it has
become to be known. In Detroit, John Lowe: "The owners have
created a giant unknown, and they are rushing into it. It's
nice that they have finally modernized their thinking, but
what would be wrong with going a little more slowly?"
(DETROIT NEWS, 8/18). In N.Y., Mike Lupica: "Why should we
believe that the people who have tried to ruin this game
have the credentials to fix it?" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/17).
In K.C., Mike Vaccaro, under the header, "Forget The
Sentiment; Realignment Makes Sense," writes, "Baseball needs
to evolve" (K.C. STAR, 8/19). In S.F., Glenn Dickey: "Logic
will prevail and radical realignment will happen, this year
or in the near future" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 8/18). In THE
SPORTING NEWS, Bob Costas writes the first of a two-part
series on the state of MLB. In this week's issue, Costas
looks at the wild card system and how it has diminished the
game. Next month, Costas examines realignment and
interleague play (THE SPORTING NEWS, 8/25 issue).
FROM THE CHAIR: Cubs President Andy MacPhail, who would
like to seem more fan polling to gauge interest in RRA: "We
should at least see what they are thinking." One ownership
rep, on why MLB is moving so quickly on RRA: "[Selig's]
playing for the history books, trying to bring the game into
the new millennium. But our history means more than that"
(Dave Van Dyke, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 8/17). Yankees Owner
George Steinbrenner: "It's too much too soon. I think Bud
has to slow down. Knowing Bud, I don't think he'll want to
go with it if he doesn't think it can pass" (Murray Chass,
N.Y. TIMES, 8/19). Giants Owner Peter Magowan, on RRA: "For
every casual fan you gain with this plan, how many season-
ticket holders are you going to lose?" (Bruce Jenkins, S.F.
CHRONICLE, 8/16). Padres Owner John Moores, who is against
keeping the DH in any realignment: "Every time you see a DH
it only means that some old guy who makes a lot of money is
in the game, and some young guy who's busting his hump is
denied a shot" (Tom Krasovic, UNION-TRIBUNE, 8/18).
SEARCH: White Sox Chair Jerry Reinsdorf, on the "status
quo" remaining at MLB's league office: "I can't live with
Buddy acting as a pseudo commissioner while continuing to
own the ... Brewers. If he changes his mind, wanted to be
the commissioner and move to New York, that's something I'd
really have to think about" (Hal Bodley, USA TODAY, 8/19).
