In Boston, Peter Gammons compares Cal Ripken's feat this
year with Babe Ruth's effect after the Black Sox scandal --
having the potential to save the sport. Gammons writes that
acting MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, who was "genuinely touched" by
the Camden Yards celebration, "has to convince his fellow owners
that this is what the game is about; baseball is not as simple as
Wal-Mart." And MLBPA Exec Dir Don Fehr, "must also grasp the
moment. When they resume talks soon, they must keep quiet, get
it done and not soil what Ripken hath wrought" (BOSTON GLOBE,
9/10). In Philadelphia, Jayson Stark writes of Selig's and
Fehr's presence: "Let's hope that what they saw and what they
felt remain as firmly embedded in their memories as it will
inside the people who only want to keep loving baseball as much
as they did that night" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 9/10).
LOOKING BACK, AND AHEAD: Selig spoke with Tom Haudricourt
of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL on his tenure as acting
Commissioner. Selig: "There's never been a dull moment. ...
Nobody regrets more the interruptions, the sadness of a year ago.
But if it leads to long-term peace that future generations can
enjoy without having to worry like we have the past 30 years, it
will all have been worth it" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 9/10).
