The words of the immortal heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis whose reign (1937-1949) roughly matched that of Yankee great Joe DiMaggio (1936-1951). Louis was addressing the speed of upcoming opponent Billy Conn: he can run but he can't hide.
No matter what you think of Alex Rodriguez generally or specifically about his histrionics yesterday at and after his hearing, you've got to want Selig to pony up and testify. Right? Come on.
Actually, Rodriguez may have given Selig a chance to make Rodriguez look bad by meeting the challenge in which Rodriguez agreed to also testify if Selig would. As it now stands, neither will testify.
Rodriguez said yesterday that it's personal and that Selig hates him.
Friday, September 27, 2013 Bud Selig: worst commissioner of all time in any sport?
So next week the fun begins. No, not the tournament. Selig v. Rodriguez arbitration hearing. Selig demonstrated his personal animosity towards Rodriguez in both the timing and severity of the punishment. Rodriguez works and hustles at least as hard as any player. He had just finished long and difficult rehabilitation from his second hip surgery and was about ready to play for the first time since October 2012 when Selig rushed to judgement and suspended Rodriguez in August for the remainder of the 2013 season and all of the 2014 season: 211 games. The standard for a first time offender was 50 games. Selig was acting as if he had 'roid rage.
Selig extended a baseball tradition different from the other sports: denigrating the product, the players. People who maintain the field and distribute tickets are employees. The players are the product. No baseball players, no baseball game. Baseball needs players, not owners. Selig represents and protects owners.
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