Owners back Selig
Bud Selig could be baseball commissioner for life if he wanted. His backing among owners is as strong as ever after the Mitchell Report, which accused owners and players of ignoring performance-enhancing drugs.
Two things matter most in professional sports: winning and profits. Selig has delivered both. More clubs have a chance to win the World Series because of the revenue-sharing rules negotiated during his 15-year tenure. And the league set attendance records in 2007.
“He has total support of the ownership, total support,” Chicago White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said.
“He’s a terrific commissioner, and he’s doing the right thing in trying to clean up the sport,” New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said.
Selig has said he plans to retire in two years, when he’s 75, but some owners think they can persuade him to stay.
Bonds speaks in court
Barry Bonds told a judge in San Francisco that he wants two top-notch Bay Area defense lawyers to lead his legal team in his perjury and obstruction of justice case even though they previously represented potential witnesses against the slugger.
Bonds answered “yes” when the judge asked him if his lawyers explained their potential conflicts.
Clearing the bases
A day after being linked to drugs in baseball, former pitcher Allen Watson denied the allegation. Watson was among nine players accused of doping by former pitcher Jason Grimsley in a federal agent’s affidavit unsealed Thursday. … Former All-Star pitcher Matt Keough‘s probation on a drunken driving charge was revoked and he was ordered held without bail in the Orange County, Calif., jail after violating his parole by binge drinking at a hotel bar. … Center fielder Josh Hamilton was traded from Cincinnati to Texas for pitchers Edinson Volquez and Danny Herrera. … Cuban slugger Alexei Ramirez has agreed to a deal with the White Sox. Terms weren’t disclosed. … Indians reliever Juan Lara was moved to the Cleveland Clinic almost one month after he was injured in a car accident in the Dominican Republic. … Free-agent pitcher Johan Santana is not expected to be the Yankees’ big Christmas present, a source with knowledge of the situation said.