Bud Selig is the current Commissioner of Major League Baseball and the former owner of the Milwaukee Brewers.
On October 27, 2008, Selig suspended play in game five of the 2008 World Series due to heavy rain in Philadelphia. At the time the game was suspended, the score was tied 2-2 at the end of the top of the sixth inning. There has been both criticism and praise for the way the situation was handled. The game is expected to resume when weather permits.SI.com: Five Cuts: Selig made right call
Fast Facts:
- Born: July 30, 1934, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- School: University of Wisconsin
- Cancelled 1994 World Series
- Commissioner since 1992
- Former owner of Milwaukee Brewers
Life
A native of Milwaukee, Selig helped his father run the family car leasing business before becoming interested in professional baseball. After the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta in 1963, Milwaukee was left without a professional baseball team and Selig devoted himself to attracting another team to his hometown. In 1970, Selig purchased the Seattle Pilots and moved the franchise to Milwaukee, renaming the team the Brewers.
Commissioner
In 1994, Selig became the Acting Commissioner of Major League Baseball after former Commissioner Fay Vincent was forced to step down. That year, a player's strike resulted in the cancellation of the World Series, and Selig received much of the blame. In 1995, Selig presided over the alteration of baseball's structure to accommodate three divisions and a three-tiered playoff system. In recent years, Selig has come under criticism for presiding over baseball during what has become known as the late 1990s "Steroids Era", and not doing enough to stop the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Under Selig's direction, former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell was asked to provide a report on the use of such drugs in baseball; the Mitchell Report went public in 2007, naming dozens of current and former players believed to be involved in the distribution or possession of steroids or Human Growth Hormone.
Bud Selig News and Articles
ESPN Video: Bud Selig on the World Series Weather Issues (Time 3:15)
New York Times: Bud Selig News
SI.com: More names will surface in the Mitchell Report's wake (December 13, 2007)
ESPN.com: Selig Thrilled with success of World Baseball Classic
Salon.com: Bud Selig's Buddies
StrikeTwo.net: Bud Selig News
US Senate Committee: Bud Selig Statement
Business Week: Bud Selig Q & A
ESPN.com: Gene Wojciechowski: Selig made correct call (October 28, 2008)
SI.com: Five Cuts: Selig made right call (October 28, 2008)
Bud Selig Timeline
July 30, 1934 : Born
1970: Purchases Seattle Pilots and changes them to Milwaukee Brewers
1985-1987: Involved in MLB owners Collusion Scandal
1992: Acting Commissioner of Major League Baseball
1994: Cancels World Series due to Players Strike
1997: Introduces Interleague Play
1998: Officially named Commissioner of Major League Baseball
2002: Calls Off All-Star game in Extra innings
2006: Announces he will retire after 2009 Season
