Bud Selig
Biographical Information
Allan H. "Bud" Selig, Jr. is the former Commissioner of Major League Baseball, a role he has held officially since 1998, and held on an interim basis (as Chairman of the Major League Executive Council) before that, starting in 1992.
Selig, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, began his participation in Baseball as a majority shareholder of the Boston Braves in the early 1950s. After the Braves moved to Atlanta in 1965, he sold his stock in the team, and five years later, he purchased the bankrupt Seattle Pilots franchise and moved it to Milwaukee, renaming them the Brewers.
Under Selig's guidance, the Brewers reached the World Series in 1982, but have since failed to reach the postseason. After taking over as MLB Commissioner, he transferred ownership of the team to his daughter, Wendy Selig-Prieb, although the team was later sold.
In 2006, Selig announced that he plans to retire from his position at the end of his contract in 2009. However, his contract was subsequently extended twice, through 2012 and then through 2014. He step down in January 2015 and was succeeded by Rob Manfred.
Salary and Net Worth
It has been reported that Bud Selig's salary currently exceeds $22 million. His net worth is estimated by Dave Manuel and Celebrity Net Worth to be in the $375-$400 million range.
Accomplishments and Criticisms
Bud Selig has presided over a variety of changes in Major League Baseball since 1992. Many of these transitions have been credited for helping to increase the game's popularity, while others have drawn criticism. Among the events occurring under Selig's watch:
- 1994 - Players union strike and cancellation of World Series.
- 1995 - Realignment of divisions, and institution of wild card and divisional playoffs
- 1997 - Implementation of interleague play
- 2000 - Consolidation of the American and National Leagues under a single administrative office.
- 2001 - One-week postponement of games after terror attacks
- 2002 - Meets with Pete Rose regarding Rose's reinstatement efforts; no decision has yet been made on his case
- 2002 - In Milwaukee, declares All-Star Game a 7-7 tie after 11 innings
- 2002 - MLB and players union reach a collective bargaining agreement, for the first time without a work stoppage
- 2003 - First year in which home-field advantage in the World Series is awarded to the team whose league wins the All-Star Game
- 2005 - Steroids scandal and subsequent changes in drug testing
- 2006 - Japan wins inaugural World Baseball Classic
- 2008 - Limited instant reply introduced
- 2012 - Addition of second wild card team in each league
- 2014 - Instant replay expanded
Related Links
The following sites provide additional information about Bud Selig. All links will open in a new browser window.
- Wikipedia: Bud Selig - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bud_Selig
- MLB Official Info - http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/official_info/about_mlb/executives.jsp?bio=selig_bud
- Bud Selig Biography by Baseball Almanac - http://www.baseball-almanac.com/articles/bud_selig_biography.shtml