While he’s still meeting with a special committee assigned to ponder the future of the Oakland A’s, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig says there’s no timetable on a decision — and may leave the final say to his successor.
“I have a committee very hard at work, ongoing with all that, and they continue to work hard,” Selig said. “I’ve been talking to them a lot the last four or five days. There isn’t anything more to say. I know you’d like to talk about it. I’m sensitive to that, I appreciate it. But let’s concentrate on Game 2 of the World Series.”…
Selig said he still has no timetable for making a decision on whether the A’s can move — and wouldn’t even respond when asked whether it would get done during his tenure as commissioner.
“I don’t think there’s any question that they need a new ballpark. That would not be a shocking front-page story I don’t think,” he said. “I don’t feel any pressure. The only thing that will guide me ultimately on every issue is what I think is in the best interest of baseball. That is the only pressure I ever feel.”
Oakland A’s owner Lew Wolff has proposed a new ballpark in downtown San Jose, but his path has been blocked by the San Francisco Giants, whose front office has consistently asserted territorial rights to Silicon Valley. The two sides have not been able to agree on any terms to allow a move, leaving the decision up to Selig. The San Jose ballpark plan isn’t totally in the clear, however, and that’s proabbly a factor in the delay.
Now, we don’t expect Selig to pass off the decision to a successor; his reluctance to talk about the issue further probably stems more from a desire to stay on message (what a great World Series!) rather than any plan to avoid the issue in the future.
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