At yesterday's MLB Owners meetings in Phoenix, the
owners voted unanimously to give MLB Commissioner Bud Selig
"the most power and authority" for an MLB commissioner since
'20, according to Hal Bodley of USA TODAY, who reports that
Selig "can block trades and take away millions of dollars
from wealthy" teams and "redistribute it." Bodley notes
that the Major League Agreement was renamed the Major League
Constitution, "incorporating changes with unprecedented
power to deal with economic issues." Selig also has the
power to fine teams as much as $2M, up from $250,000, and
team officials $500,000. Royals CEO David Glass: "This is a
great day for baseball. We know we have to act" (USA TODAY,
1/20). In Milwaukee, Tom Haudricourt reports that Selig
also "will have control over the money" teams earn on the
Internet (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 1/20). Padres
President Larry Lucchino, on the decision: "Baseball woke up
and recognized there was an 800-pound gorilla sitting in our
living room -- the lack of competitive balance in the game.
Let's cure some of the problems. Enough is enough" (AP,
1/20). Selig, on his new authority: "I understand with that
comes a lot of responsibility. It's a responsibility I
accept, and you will see ... results" (K.C. STAR, 1/20).
INDIANS SOLD: MLB owners also approved the sale of the
Indians to attorney Larry Dolan and Dolan Family Trusts for
$320M (USA TODAY, 1/20).
