MLB Characterizes Jimmie Lee Solomon's Departure As A Resignation

MLB late yesterday formally announced the departure of Exec VP/Baseball Development Jimmie Lee Solomon after 21 years with the league, calling the move a resignation. Multiple sources, however, branded the move as a firing early this week by MLB Commissioner Bud Selig. "I want to thank Jimmie Lee for his 20-plus years of service to Major League Baseball and for the contributions he has made in a number of different areas throughout the game," Selig said in a statement. "I wish him all the best as he pursues new challenges."

Minor League Baseball President Pat O'Conner, with whom Solomon recently negotiated a six-year extension to the Professional Baseball Agreement, said he will be missed. "He was a good, productive partner," O'Conner said. "He could occasionally be a tough adversary, but he was always very fair. In a lot of ways, we came up through the business together."