Selig's Finger Pointing Is Hypocritical

Earlier this week, Alex Rodriguez admitted that he used steroids between 2001-03 in an interview with ESPN’s Peter Gammons. It’s the latest confession by a string of players who have now marred the image of Major League Baseball.

In response to the Rodriguez admission, Commissioner Bud Selig said Rodriguez “shamed the game.” And while players like Andy Pettitte, Jason Giambi, and Rodriguez have earnestly admitted their steroid use, Selig has continued to point his finger in the opposite direction while absolving himself from any responsibility.

Personally, I think he’s just as responsible.

The league lost a large portion of its fan base following the strike-shortened 1994 season. Attendance figures totaled around 70 million the season before the strike and dropped significantly to about 55 million immediately after.

It wasn’t until 1998 that attendance topped 70 million once again. If you’ll recall, that’s the year Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Ken Griffey Jr. chased Roger Maris for the single season home run record. It’s also around the same time many feel steroids became prevalent in the Major Leagues.

It’s safe to assume that Selig had a choice at this juncture. Selig could have put a spotlight on players using steroids and further damaged the reputation of his league or he could ignore the situation and cash in on the new found revenue.

Selig looked the other way and took the cash.

From a PR standpoint, I can't exactly say I blame him. What commissioner would give their league negative publicity when business is booming? The problem is Selig has been an owner’s commissioner for too long.

For several years, fans have cried for a salary cap to keep the league competitive. Fans outside of New York and Los Angeles have grown tired of seeing the same teams in the playoffs year after year.

But Selig has refused. Why?

Because owners have refused.

The New York Yankees are the cash cow of the major leagues. Their success brings endless revenue that is shared with small market teams throughout baseball. It’s a cycle. The Yankees can afford to dish out large contracts and small market teams can afford to lose. At the end of the year, those teams collect their Yankee financial aid check.

The Yankees get their World Series, the league owners get their cash and everyone goes home happy.

So with no salary cap and contracts like A-Rod’s becoming increasingly popular, players took steroids hoping to boost their stats and get their piece of the pie. Selig waited until 2004 to take a pro-active approach to steroids only after journalists put a spotlight on the BALCO lab in San Francisco.

Since then, Selig has been on a man hunt, appointing George Mitchell to conduct a report on the prevalence of steroids in the game. He’s called out Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro, Giambi and McGwire among others.

Does that make Selig any less responsible? No.

The Mitchell Report and Selig’s comments are a pre-determined PR move to show fans that Selig is attempting to clean up the game. However, it still took at least six years for Selig to address the problem. I find it hard to believe he had absolutely no idea steroids were involved in the game.

From 1998 to 2004, baseball experienced the highest attendance totals is has ever seen. Selig rode the backs of superstar players like Rodriguez and Bonds who attracted fans to the ballpark.

Now, in the face of adversity, he turns his back on them. Now, in the face of adversity he points his finger in their direction and says, “You brought shame to the game.”

No, Mr. Commissioner. You are the one who has overseen the league since 1992. You allowed steroids to overtake America’s pastime during your reign.

You are just as guilty. You sir, have brought shame to the game.