Bud Selig Officially Passes MLB Commissioner Torch To Rob Manfred

MLB Commissioner Emeritus Bud Selig yesterday "began his 8,173rd and final day in charge of baseball by waking up in a Manhattan hotel, having breakfast and working out." Selig's final task "was to accept a long and meritorious service award from the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America at a black-tie dinner" last night. Rob Manfred, Selig's "top deputy, takes over as the 10th commissioner" of MLB today. Former MLB Commissioner Peter Ueberroth said, "Bud will go down in history as the No. 1 commissioner that has served baseball" (AP, 1/24). SI.com's Cliff Corcoran recounted the biggest successes and failures of Selig's tenure, while USA TODAY's White & Ortiz examined the challenges MLB faces as it transitions from Selig's reign into the Manfred era. Meanwhile, Manfred pens an open letter to MLB fans in which he thanks them for their support and expresses excitement to get to work.