MLB Commissioner Bud Selig spoke yesterday at the
National Press Club in Washington, DC, and "restated the
need for greater economic parity" in MLB, according to Peter
Schmuck of the Baltimore SUN. While Selig "referred several
times" to the report by the Blue Ribbon Panel on MLB
Economics, Schmuck writes that Selig "did not say whether he
would adopt any of the suggestions in the report," such as
changes in revenue sharing and a "greatly enhanced luxury
tax system." However, Selig "stressed that he has a mandate
from ownership to do whatever is necessary to restore some
economic parity to the industry." Selig: "I know that the
vast majority of clubs are quite willing for me to do what
it takes to solve this problem." Orioles Owner Peter
Angelos, on Selig: "I understand what his approach is, and
I'm completely in accordance with it." Selig was asked if
he would support franchise relocation to the DC/Northern VA
area: "I am protective of existing franchises. On the other
hand, I understand your desires. We haven't moved a team in
29 years. We're going to be damned if we do and damned if
we don't." But he added, "Switching franchises doesn't
solve your economic problems. We're not going to put Band-
Aids on our problems like we have in the past. That may be
a solution, but it has to dovetail with a range of other
solutions" (Baltimore SUN, 11/29). In DC, Thomas Boswell
writes that to Selig's "credit, he didn't take the easy way
out, as he sometimes has in the past," when dealing with a
possible team in the area. One Northern VA fan asked Selig
if MLB would ever be "closer to him than a two-hour drive"
to Baltimore. Selig: "A two-hour drive is not unusual these
days in some places. ... Fans of the Cardinals and Rockies
come from all over. Baseball has become a regional game.
It needs to be regional in most places." But Boswell writes
that saying the word regional to a DC fan "is like pointing
a crucifix at Dracula" (WASHINGTON POST, 11/29).
HOLD ON, MR. LORIA: Selig "rejected speculation" that
Expos Managing General Partner Jeffrey Loria "is preparing
the club for a possible move." Selig, on Loria: "He has to
go through me, and honestly, I don't have the feeling [Loria
is trying to move the team]." Selig also said of the Expos,
"They'll be in Montreal next year" (GLOBE & MAIL, 11/29).
LOOKING AHEAD: Selig told USA TODAY's Hal Bodley that
any additional revenue sharing "will be tied to
negotiations" for a new CBA, as the current CBA expires on
October 31, 2001. Selig: "I've discussed with owners a
possible timetable, but I don't want to be burdened by that.
No question, it's a part of a new labor agreement." Selig
adds the management-union relationship "is the best I've
seen it in my years in baseball." But Selig said, "I've
told all the clubs we cannot continue to do business with
each other the way we have. I think they understand that"
(USA TODAY, 11/29). In DC, Eric Fisher writes that Selig
"strongly denied" speculation of ownership collusion toward
this year's crop of free agents. Selig said, "What's
happened since the end of the season? [Pirates C] Jason
Kendall signed the largest contract in the history of the
Pittsburgh Pirates. Ellis Burks signed with a three-year
deal with Cleveland for more than $20 million. Mike Mussina
is being seriously courted by four teams, Mike Hampton by
10. I rest my case" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 11/29).
