Selig... Need I Say More?

By: Jake

The recent report that Bud Selig is now considering lifting the lifetime ban on Pete Rose just makes it even more evident who the worst commissioner in sports is. (as if it was even close before this) Selig has already wreaked havoc on baseball and its fans by doing nothing throughout the steroid era. His turning a blind eye to to steroid madness has ended up coming back to bite him in the worst way. Fans have lost almost all confidence in all the players and nowadays EVERYONE is under suspicion of steroid use. It seems more guilty until proven innocent than the opposite. Had Selig taken a stronger stance on the roids, he could possibly be known as one of the best of his time, however he chose to let it go and watch the fireworks that ensued. Sure it may have temporarily "saved" baseball, but in the long run, it's killing it slowly.

The steroids are undoubtedly the blackest mark on Selig's career, but not far behind is his decision to make the All-Star game count for home field advantage. There are so many things wrong with this proposition, but i'll start with the fact that players like Ryan Zimmerman of the Nationals are "playing" for the home field advantage they will never need. If you are going to make the game count for something as important as home field advantage in the biggest series of the year, don't require that at lest one person from each team is required to be in the game. Also, the managers of the All Star teams sure don't manage like they need to win the game. If they really wanted to win, why would you pull Tim Lincecum or Roy Halladay when they are one the best pitchers in their respective leagues? The only answer is that they are more concerned with getting everyone in the game and preserving arms for the regular season than winning the game.

Last but not least, the story that inspired this article, the Pete Rose possible reinstatement. If Bud Selig has the gall to reinstate a player/manager after he was given a lifetime ban, I will lose the single shred of respect I still have for him. Rose was given that ban for a reason. Just because The Hall of fame voting came along doesn't mean you should go out and start reinstating people who committed the ultimate no-no and bet on baseball, especially because he bet on games in which he managed himself. That type of man, no matter is accomplishments on the field, is not someone you want representing your league in its most famous shrine that is Cooperstown, New York. Bud, be sensible for once and forget about this idea, you're already going toi be remembered as one of the worst commissioners of all-time, don't make it any worse than it already is.