Selig Looks To Calm Waters Ahead Of Commissioner Vote This Week

MLB owners on Thursday will vote on the three finalists -- MLB COO Rob Manfred, Red Sox Chair Tom Werner and MLB Exec VP/Business Tim Brosnan -- offered up by the committee searching for Bud Selig's successor. Selig on Friday issued a statement saying the three candidates "are a reflection of the Committee's work alone, and I have not promoted individual candidates." Selig: "I will continue to encourage Clubs to voice their opinions within the confines of this process. Reports of personal animosity between (White Sox Chair Jerry Reinsdorf) and me -- are unfounded and unproductive" (MLB). With "accusations surfacing of discord among the owners, and the potential for a boardroom slugfest on Thursday, Selig felt it necessary this week to calm the public waters" (NEWSDAY, 8/10).