A committee comprised of MLB team owners and execs was formed last week to name Commissioner Bud Selig's successor, and it is "interesting" that Blue Jays President & CEO Paul Beeston, who has been mentioned as a candidate for the job, is not on the committee, according to Richard Griffin of the TORONTO STAR. When "asked whether he was a candidate this week, Beeston laughed." Beeston "was on the last search committee 22 years ago" when Selig was selected to replace former Commissioner Fay Vincent (TORONTO STAR, 5/18). In Boston, Nick Cafardo wrote it is interesting that none of the search committee members "came from the Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers, or Tigers." Cafardo wonders if owners or execs from those teams could "be considered." In the past, Red Sox President & CEO Larry Lucchino and Chair Tom Werner "have been mentioned." Tigers President, CEO & GM Dave Dombrowski and Dodgers President & CEO Stan Kasten also "are often considered candidates" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/18). Beeston said, "The thing that Bud does -- and maybe it’s got to do with the fact that he is in Milwaukee and is able to work from home -- but the fact is that he returns every phone call. He talks to everybody. There aren’t any surprises that we’re dealing with. If you’re one of the 30 owners or a general manager or if you’re an umpire or if you’re a player, Bud will take your call. ... It will be interesting to see what the new style will be" (TORONTO STAR, 5/18).
