Giamatti, Vincent, Jr. Leave Carbon Print a la Bush, Bush Jr.

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball
Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Commissioner
245 Park Avenue, 31st Floor
New York, NY 10167
(212) 931-7800

Dear Mr. Commissioner:

I understand that yesterday’s interview with Dan Patrick was intense. Everybody wants to know your thoughts on Barry Bonds, and whether or not you plan to attend his record-breaking homerun. I’m one of those people, but I’d gladly settle for some other information instead.


What I would like to know is this: How has the ban on Pete Rose, a decision made by a man who would be dead nine days later, lasted this long? I have no reason to disrespect the late Mr. Giamatti. I’m curious as to the bizarreness of his creation of an assistant deputy commissioner position, his appointing of Fay Vincent, Jr. to that post, and Vincent’s immediate succession. I know there were unanimous votes involved, etc. It’s a very strange lineage of events, though.



Nevertheless, in comes Vincent, sailing on the momentum of pounding away at Pete Rose, and, three years later he resigns. Odd again. You, Mr. Selig, become chair of the Major League Executive Council and maintain that position for six years until your ultimate election to commissionership. And baseball, since that election, has gone through the roof. The strike-shortened season. Steroids is out of control, what with book publishings, congressional hearings, and guys ratting each other out. Revenue sharing, while a novel idea for the league, isn’t being used properly. The All-Star game determines home-field advantage in the World Series. There was a tie All-Star game. These are just a few of the hot topics spanning your tenure as baseball’s main man.



Yet Giamatti’s ban still stands. I don’t think it would be a disgrace to him if you lifted it. Have you spoken with Vincent about it? How can lifting it worsen baseball? Is this a battle of stubbornness? Is it a dual over something with one of the strangest track records in human existence? Let’s bury this issue once and for all. Take the right first step, Mr. Commissioner.




Help put Rose in Cooperstown.