Earlier today, Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig announced that he will be retiring at the end of the 2014 season. During a press conference today, Selig made his “thank you” speech – specifically towards the owners – but insisted that at the end of the 2014 season, he was done.
Having commissioned in some role in the MLB since 1992, Selig has seen both positives and negatives over his tenure. He was the representative for baseball during the infamous strike of 1994, and watched as the players of the 1990s juiced their way to greatness. Selig was also the man that pushed for PED testing, adding the wild card (and second wild card), and watched as baseball has integrated to the 21st century with instant replay. While there have definitely been some dark stains on Selig’s resume, he’s (for the most part) been a very positive influence for the sport as a whole.
Selig took over in 1992, as baseball was being uprooted by basketball and football, and fans were leaving the park in packs. While acting as an “interim” commissioner until he was finally declared commissioner in 1998, Selig brought baseball back to it’s glory and has watched the sport flourish lately.
A definitive successor still hasn’t been named, and may not be named for a while. Speculation remains large on inside guys like Joe Torre and Tony LaRussa, while outside guys like Senator George Mitchell and Bob Costas. Whoever is to replace Bud Selig will need to be voted in by 24 of the 30 owners, which makes finding a replacement even harder.
No matter who comes after Commissioner Selig, they will never truly replace what he did over his 20 years presiding over the league. Baseball has had its ups, it’s had its downs, but it’s remained the game fans know and love more than ever under Bud Selig.
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