New Powers For Selig

Baseball owners meeting in Phoenix gave commissioner Bud Selig sweeping new powers, allowing him to block trades and redistribute the wealth in order to restore competitive balance in baseball.

To enforce his authority under baseball’s “best interests” clause, the 30 owners unanimously granted him the ability to fine teams up to $2 million - up from $250,000 - and club employees $500,000.

Selig can now take any “action as he deems appropriate to ensure an appropriate level of long-term competitive balance” - even it means taking away millions of dollars in national TV revenue from teams such as the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves and giving it to clubs such as the Montreal Expos and Minnesota Twins.

The owners also overhauled baseball’s management structure, eliminating the American and National league offices.

In addition, they approved the $320 million sale of the Cleveland Indians by Richard Jacobs to Larry Dolan, an attorney who grew up in Cleveland. It also approved the transfer of control of the Los Angeles Dodgers from Fox to former movie executive Bob Daly, who bought a small interest in the team.

Richie Phillips, head of the ousted Major League Umpires Association, spent his second day on the witness stand in Philadelphia, testifying on behalf of 22 umpires who lost their jobs in September.

The MLUA says the 22 umpires were illegally fired, while owners say they merely accepted their resignations. Umpires voted 57-35 in November to replace the MLUA with an insurgent union. NLRB hearing officer David Leach III is expected to decide this week whether to recommend the NLRB certify the results or order a new election.

Looking for insurance for catchers Dan Wilson and Tom Lampkin, the Seattle Mariners signed veteran free agent Joe Oliver to a minor league contract.

Former manager Jeff Torborg and former stolen-base king and Mariners manager Maury Wills were hired as spring training instructors by the Montreal Expos.