Editing Bud Selig (section)

== Commissioner (1998–2015) ==

After a six-year search for a new commissioner, the owners voted to give Selig the title on a permanent basis on July 9, 1998.<ref name=":0" />

During his tenure, MLB avoided additional work stoppages by adopting collective bargaining agreements with its players in 2002 and 2006.<ref name=":0" />

Whereas in the past, the [[National League (division)|National]] and [[American League|American]] leagues had separate administrative organizations (which, for example, allowed for the introduction of different rules such as the [[designated hitter]]), under Selig, Major League Baseball consolidated the administrative functions of both leagues into the Commissioner's Office in 2000. The last official presidents of the NL and AL were [[Leonard S. Coleman Jr.]] and Dr. [[Gene Budig]] respectively.

=== Reaction after September 11, 2001 ===

On September 11, 2001, Selig ordered all baseball games postponed for a week because of the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|terror attacks on New York and Washington]]. The games were postponed not only out of respect and mourning for the victims, but also out of concern for the safety and security of fans and players.

===2001 contraction attempt===
{{main|2001 Major League Baseball contraction plan}}
After the conclusion of the [[2001 World Series]], Selig held a vote on contracting two teams, reportedly the [[Minnesota Twins]] and [[Montreal Expos]].<ref name="ESPN-ContractionTimeline">{{cite web| last = Schoenfield| first = David| title = Still 30 teams: Contraction timeline| work = ESPN.com| date = February 5, 2002| url = http://static.espn.go.com/mlb/s/2002/0205/1323230.html| access-date = October 7, 2008 }}</ref> This action led to Selig (along with former Expos owner [[Jeffrey Loria]]) being sued for racketeering and conspiring with Loria to deliberately defraud the Expos minority owners.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chass|first1=Murray|author-link1=Murray Chass|title=A Group's Racketeering Suit Brings Baseball to Full Bristle|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/17/sports/baseball-a-group-s-racketeering-suit-brings-baseball-to-full-bristle.html|access-date=February 11, 2016|work=New York Times|date=July 17, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Joseph|first1=Dave|title=Keep An Eye On Selig, Loria|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2002-07-17/sports/0207170092_1_marlins-bud-selig-suit|access-date=February 11, 2016|work=Sun Sentinel|date=July 17, 2002|archive-date=October 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010043926/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2002-07-17/sports/0207170092_1_marlins-bud-selig-suit|url-status=dead}}</ref> If found liable, the league could have been ordered to pay as much as $500 million in total damages.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Grace|first1=Francie|title=Racketeering Suit Names Baseball Execs|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/racketeering-suit-names-baseball-execs/|access-date=February 11, 2016|agency=Reuters|work=CBS News|date=July 17, 2002}}</ref> The judge ruled that the Expos could not be moved or contracted until the case was over.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Talalay|first1=Sarah|title=Suit Against Marlins' Loria Put On Hold Pending Arbitration Ruling|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2002-11-16/sports/0211150867_1_jeffrey-loria-loria-and-samson-arbitration|access-date=February 11, 2016|work=Sun Sentinel|date=November 16, 2002|quote=Kessler was also not disappointed by the judge's ruling, which allows the partners to come back to court to request an injunction to prevent the Expos from being relocated, should baseball try to move them before the arbitration is resolved.|archive-date=December 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211234930/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2002-11-16/sports/0211150867_1_jeffrey-loria-loria-and-samson-arbitration|url-status=dead}}</ref> The case eventually went to arbitration and was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.<ref>{{cite news|title=Once panel makes decision, other options then unfold|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=1461497&type=news|access-date=February 11, 2016|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=November 15, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=How Jeff Loria became the miracle Marlin|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2011/11/14/how-jeff-loria-became-the-miracle-marlin/|access-date=February 11, 2016|first1=Nathan|last1=Vardi|work=Forbes|date=November 14, 2011}}</ref>

A week after Selig's announcement, Hennepin County Judge Harry Seymour Crump issued a temporary restraining order that forced the Twins to honor their lease and play the 2002 season at the [[Metrodome]].<ref name=ipppav>{{Cite web|url=http://www.twincities.com/2014/07/10/contraction-nearly-stole-twins-baseball-from-minnesota/|title = Contraction nearly stole Twins baseball from Minnesota|date = July 10, 2014}}</ref> In August 2002, the effort to contract the Twins officially fizzled as players and owners reached a consensus on a new labor agreement which extended the team's Metrodome lease.<ref name=ipppav />

=== Changes to the MLB All-Star Game ===

The [[2002 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2002 All-Star Game]], played in Selig's hometown of [[American Family Field|Milwaukee]], was tied 7–7 after nine innings, and remained tied after the bottom of the 11th inning. Due to the recent managerial trend of granting playing time to as many available players as possible within the regulation nine innings, both managers had used their entire roster. Concerned for the arms of the pitchers currently on the mound, Selig made the controversial decision to declare the game a tie,<ref name="usaToday-2007-07-10">{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/allstar/2007-07-10-AllStartiegamefeature_N.htm | work=USA Today | title=Tie in '02 All-Star Game mattered | first=Bob | last=Nightengale | date=July 11, 2007}}</ref> to the dissatisfaction of the Milwaukee fans. Selig later said that this call was "embarrassing" and that he was "tremendously saddened" by the outcome of the game.<ref name="usaToday-2007-07-10"/>

Selig subsequently tried to reinvigorate the All-Star Game by awarding the winning league home-field advantage in the World Series; that practice was initiated in 2003 and continued through 2016. The [[2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2003 All-Star Game]] had the same U.S. viewership as 2002 (9.5 [[Share (ratings)|rating]]; 17 [[Ratings share|share]]) and the ratings declined in 2004 (8.8 rating; 15 share) and 2005 (8.1 rating; 14 share).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/asgbox/asgtv.shtml |title=All-Star Game Television Ratings on Baseball Almanac |publisher=Baseball-almanac.com |access-date=October 17, 2009}}</ref> The American television audience increased in 2006 (9.3 rating; 16 share).<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/specials/all_star/2006/07/12/bc.bbo.all.starratings.ap/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103134352/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/specials/all_star/2006/07/12/bc.bbo.all.starratings.ap/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 3, 2007 |title=SI.com&nbsp;— MLB - 2006 All Star Game&nbsp;— Ratings up for All-Star Game, HR Derby&nbsp;— Wednesday July 12, 2006 6:41PM |magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=July 12, 2006 |access-date=October 17, 2009}}</ref>

=== Disciplinary actions ===

On July 1, 2005, Selig suspended [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] pitcher [[Kenny Rogers (baseball)|Kenny Rogers]] for 20 games and fined him US$50,000. The punishment stemmed from an incident on June 29, 2005, during a Rangers pre-game warmup session, where Rogers had shoved two local news reporters and knocked one camera to the ground. One of the reporters resumed filming after picking up said camera, which angered Rogers into shoving him again, after grabbing and throwing the camera to the ground, kicking it. He was then led away by a teammate and later sent home by the club.<ref name="ESPN-KennyRogers">{{cite news| agency = Associated Press| title = Rangers pitcher threatens and confronts cameramen| work = ESPN.com| date = June 30, 2005| url = https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2097491| access-date = January 16, 2010 }}</ref> While an appeal of his suspension was pending, Rogers appeared at the [[2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2005 All-Star Game]] in [[Detroit Michigan|Detroit]], where fans loudly booed him. On July 22, 2005, Selig heard Rogers' appeal of his suspension. Selig decided to uphold the 20 games, however, an independent arbitrator ruled that Selig had exceeded his authority and reduced it to 13 games, but upheld the fine.

=== Performance-enhancing drugs ===
{{main|Mitchell Report}}

In 2005, Selig faced [[U.S. Congress|Congress]] on the issue of [[Anabolic steroids|steroids]]. After the Congressional hearings in early 2005, and with the scrutiny of the sports and national media upon this issue, Selig put forth a proposal for a stricter performance-enhancing drug testing regime to replace the current system. This proposal also included the banning of [[amphetamines]], a first for the major North American sports leagues. The [[Major League Baseball Players Association|MLB Players Association]] and MLB reached an agreement in November on the new policy.<ref>{{cite news |title = MLBPA/MLB joint announcement |url = http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/pa/releases/releases.jsp?content=111505 |publisher = MLBPA |date = November 15, 2005 |access-date = March 21, 2007 |archive-date = May 13, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070513140514/http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/pa/releases/releases.jsp?content=111505 |url-status = dead }}</ref>

Selig's testimony on the subject has been contradictory. In 2005, Selig told reporters, "I never even heard about them [steroids] until 1998 or 1999. I ran a team and nobody was closer to their players and I never heard any comment from them. It wasn't until 1998 or '99 that I heard the discussion."<ref>[http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0215-23.htm Bashing Bush: Jose Canseco Comes Clean<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623020901/http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0215-23.htm |date=June 23, 2012 }}</ref> But a year later, testifying to Congress in 2006, Selig claimed personal credit for spotting the problem early: "In 1994, before anybody was really talking about steroids in baseball, we proposed a program of testing for such substances to the MLBPA. As early as 1998, I began formulating a strategic plan to eliminate the use of performance-enhancing substances from the game."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballinvestigation.com/commissioners-statement.htm|title=Independent Investigation – Statement Of Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig|work=baseballinvestigation.com|access-date=June 23, 2015}}</ref> During the [[1988 American League Championship Series|1988 ALCS]], [[Oakland Athletics|Oakland]]'s [[Jose Canseco]] had been repeatedly taunted by [[Boston Red Sox|Boston]] fans with a chant of "ster-oids, ster-oids, ster-oids."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2009/07/21/baseballs-steroid-era-was-no-surprise-so-hall-of-fame-voters-should-accept-it|title=Baseball's Steroid Era Was No Surprise, So Hall of Fame Voters Should Accept It|author=David Ezra|work=U.S. News & World Report|access-date=June 23, 2015}}</ref> Speaking at the 2013 All-Star Game, Selig complained, "People say, 'Well, you were slow to react.' We were not slow to react. In fact, I heard that this morning, and it aggravated me all over again."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/aug/05/mlb-commissioner-bud-selig-drugs-peds|title=MLB commissioner Bud Selig knows drugs bans may define his legacy|author=Evan Weiner|work=The Guardian|date=August 5, 2013|access-date=June 23, 2015}}</ref>

By early 2006, Selig was forced to deal with the issue of steroid use. On March 30, 2006, as a response to the controversy of the use of performance-enhancing drugs and the anticipated career home run record to be set by [[Barry Bonds]], Selig asked former U.S. Senator [[George J. Mitchell]] to lead an independent investigation into the use of steroids in baseball's recent past. [[Joe Sheehan]] from ''[[Baseball Prospectus]]'' wrote that the commission has been focusing "blame for the era exclusively on uniformed personnel", and failing to investigate any role played by team ownership and management.<ref>{{cite web | last = Sheehan | first = Joe | title = Prospectus Today&nbsp;— Break with the Past | work = Baseball Prospectus | date = May 22, 2007 | url = http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=6261 | access-date = August 14, 2007 }}</ref>

Much controversy surrounded Selig and his involvement in Bonds' all-time home run record chase. For months, speculation surrounded Selig and the possibility that he and [[Hank Aaron|Henry Aaron]] would not attend Bonds' games as he closed in on the record. Selig announced in July 2007 when Bonds was near 755 home runs that he would attend the games. Selig was in attendance for Bonds' record-tying home run against the [[San Diego Padres]], sitting in Padres owner [[John Moores (baseball)|John Moores]]' private suite. When Bonds hit his 755th home run, Selig refused to applaud Bonds' accomplishment, instead choosing to keep his hands in his pockets and have a look of disdain on his face. Bud Selig also did not attend the [[San Francisco Giants]]' game on August 7 when Barry Bonds hit his record-breaking 756th home run against the [[Washington Nationals]]; after the event, Selig released a statement congratulating Bonds.

On December 13, 2007, former senator Mitchell released his [[Mitchell Report (baseball)|report on the use of performance-enhancing substances by MLB players]]. The report names many current and former players who allegedly used performance-enhancing drugs during their careers.

Selig has been widely criticized for not taking an active enough role to stem the tide of steroid use in baseball until it had blossomed into a debilitating problem for the industry. ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' columnist [[Jay Mariotti]] called Selig the "Steroids Commissioner."<ref>[http://www.suntimes.com/sports/mariotti/742620,mariotti011608.article Selig's only legacy: S-T-E-R-O-I-D-S]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324132320/http://www.suntimes.com/sports/mariotti/742620%2Cmariotti011608.article |date=March 24, 2008 }}</ref> Selig has been called to [[United States Congress|Congress]] several times to testify on performance-enhancing drug use. Congressman [[Cliff Stearns]] said in December 2007 that Selig should resign because of use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball during his tenure.<ref name="Extension"/>

=== Post-season schedule ===
Selig's decision to extend the traditional post-season schedule into November in an attempt to increase Nielsen ratings was met with widespread disdain, both inside and outside the baseball community. [[Mike Scioscia]], manager of the American League West Division Champion Los Angeles Angels, dismissed the decision as "Ridiculous. I don't know. Can I say it any clearer than that? We should have never had a day off last Wednesday. We should never have three days off after the season. You shouldn't even have two days off after the season."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/sports/baseball/25yankees.html?hpw "Another Day Off for Yankees and Angels, and It’s Not Exactly Welcome"] ''[[The New York Times]]'', October 25, 2009</ref>

=== Controversies ===
Selig has been embroiled in a number of controversial decisions during his tenure as commissioner. Notably, he has been accused of favoring the [[Milwaukee Brewers]], his former team, such as he was during the [[2001 Major League Baseball contraction plan|2001 contraction controversy]] when it was suggested the [[Minnesota Twins]] be one of two teams (the other being the [[Montreal Expos]]) to be contracted for economic reasons. Sportswriter [[Rob Dibble]] posted an open letter to Bud Selig, criticizing the plan for benefiting only the Brewers, noting that the contraction of the Twins would benefit the Brewers, as they would potentially claim the Twins' share of the upper Midwest market.<ref>{{cite web|author=Rob Dibble |url=https://www.espn.com/talent/danpatrick/s/2001/1119/1280454.html |title=Open letter to Bud Selig |work=ESPN.com |date=December 1, 2001 |access-date=November 16, 2011}}</ref>

During the [[2011 Los Angeles Dodgers ownership dispute]], he was accused of not acting in good faith towards and treating the Dodgers differently from other teams when he rejected the television deal that [[Frank McCourt (executive)|Frank McCourt]] negotiated that intended to bring the franchise out of bankruptcy, claiming McCourt violated the Baseball Agreement. In comparison, no action was taken against [[New York Mets]] owner [[Fred Wilpon]] despite being in a similar position. United States bankruptcy judge Kevin Gross rendered a stern warning to Selig, stating: "Should the Commissioner falter in proving alleged wrongdoing, the Court may allow LAD (Los Angeles Dodgers) to take further, limited discovery."<ref>{{cite web|author=Bill Shaikin |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2011-oct-07-la-sp-dodgers-mccourt-20111008-story.html |title=Judge sides with MLB, but warns Bud Selig |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 17, 2011 |access-date=November 16, 2011}}</ref> Some critics have used Selig's handling of the Dodgers to point out a double standard in treatment of MLB owners. More specifically in regards to the Mets, critics have accused Selig of favoritism towards the Mets due to Selig's personal relationship with Wilpon, claiming that it motivated him to stall any possible removal of Wilpon as that club's principal owner.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Span |first1=Emma |title=In final days, Bud Selig keeps turning blind eye to Mets' mess |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2014/09/18/bud-selig-jeff-wilpon-new-york-mets-lawsuit |access-date=May 17, 2024 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=September 18, 2014}}</ref>

Selig also notably failed to resolve a 6-year conflict between the [[San Francisco Giants]] and the [[Oakland Athletics]] regarding the Athletics' proposed move to [[San Jose, California|San Jose]].<ref>{{cite news | author=sfgate.com | url=http://www.sfgate.com/athletics/jenkins/article/Oakland-situation-leaves-a-hole-in-Selig-s-legacy-5699653.php |title= Oakland situation leaves a hole in Selig's legacy | newspaper=Sfgate | date=August 20, 2014 | access-date= August 21, 2014}}</ref> Selig established a blue-ribbon panel in 2009 to resolve the dispute;<ref>{{cite web|author=espn |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/37163/time-for-mlb-to-let-the-as-move | title=Time for MLB to let the A's move |date=June 19, 2013 | access-date= August 21, 2014 }}</ref> however, despite years to find a resolution, the blue-ribbon panel completely failed to make any progress toward resolving the issue, leading San Jose to sue MLB. The lawsuit, which is currently ongoing, questions the league's anti-trust exemption and its ability to enforce particular clubs' geographic territories.<ref>{{cite web|author=cbs|url=http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/08/12/san-jose-gets-day-in-court-with-mlb-over-antitrust-claim-in-planned-as-move-athletics-sj-ballpark-anti-trust-court-federal-9th-circut-court-of-appeals/ | title = San Jose gets day in court with MLB over antitrust claim in planned A's move |date=August 12, 2014 | access-date= August 21, 2014 }}</ref> In addition, he blocked the sale of the Athletics in 1999 to an ownership group led by Bob Piccinini, then the CEO of [[Save Mart Supermarkets]],<ref>{{cite web|author=Ross Newhan|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-sep-19-sp-12111-story.html | title=Sale of A's Seems to Be Facing a Giant Roadblock |work=Los Angeles Times|date=September 19, 1999}}</ref> and [[Joe Lacob]], who would later purchase [[Golden State Warriors]], from purchasing the Athletics in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jon Becker|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/07/25/killing-lacobs-deal-to-buy-as-just-one-of-seligs-costly-decisions-for-as/ |work=San Jose Mercury| title=Killing Lacob's deal to buy A's just one of Selig's costly decisions for Oakland |date=July 25, 2022 | access-date= July 25, 2022}}</ref> Both potential ownership groups were committed to keeping the team in Oakland that would render this territorial dispute meaningless. Instead, Selig permitted only [[Lew Wolff]], his fraternity brother from college, and [[John J. Fisher]] to buy the team. The latter has since initiated the process to move the [[Oakland Athletics relocation to Las Vegas|Athletics from Oakland to Las Vegas]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/athletics/as-begin-relocation-application-process-with-mlb-2797859|title=A's begin relocation application process with MLB|last=Akers|first=Mick|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=June 21, 2023}}</ref>

=== Term of service ===

On December 1, 2006, Selig announced that he would be retiring as commissioner of baseball upon the expiration of his contract in 2009. Selig earned $14.5 million from MLB over the timespan October 31, 2005 to October 31, 2006.<ref>{{cite web | agency = The Canadian Press | title = MLB: Selig made $14.5 million last year | publisher = The Sports Network (TSN) | date = April 3, 2007 | url = https://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=202619&hubname= | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080122184319/http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=202619&hubname= | archive-date = January 22, 2008 | access-date = September 12, 2007 }}</ref> However, in January 2008, Selig agreed to a three-year contract extension, announcing he planned to retire after the 2012 season.<ref name="USAToday-extension2012">{{cite web| last = Nightengale| first = Bob| title = MLB gives Selig contract extension through 2012| work=USA Today| date = January 18, 2008| url = https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2008-01-17-selig-extension_N.htm| access-date = November 16, 2011 }}</ref> He further decided against retirement, and after a two-year extension for the previous deal was agreed to on January 12, 2012, it was announced that Selig would remain commissioner until the end of the 2014 season.<ref name="Bloom"/>

===Post-Commissioner Activities===
In 2021, Selig was appointed as "non-voting co-Chair" (with Jane Forbes Clark) for the December 2021 Early Baseball Era Committee meeting, to consider candidates for election to the Hall of Fame whose major contributions to the game took place prior to 1950.<ref>{{cite web |title=HALL OF FAME'S EARLY BASEBALL ERA COMMITTEE AND GOLDEN DAYS ERA COMMITTEE TO MEET THIS WINTER |url=https://baseballhall.org/news/early-baseball-era-committee-and-golden-days-era-committee-to-meet-this-winter |website=baseballhall.org |publisher=National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum |access-date=December 4, 2021}}</ref> The committee elected [[Bud Fowler]] and [[Buck O'Neil]].