NEW YORK – Bud Selig took over a sport with $1.7 billion in revenue, four teams in each year’s postseason, economic disparity among the clubs and a fixation on sticking with traditions that dated to the 19th century.

After a decade of maintaining his departure was imminent, the 79-year-old baseball commissioner put his exit plans in writing Thursday and said in a statement he will retire in January 2015 after 22 years, the second-longest term behind Kenesaw Mountain Landis.

His revolutionary reign produced an $8 billion industry, interleague play, an expanded postseason and two decades of labor peace. But he also presided over a canceled World Series and a long-running drug scandal.

“He’s been the voice of baseball. Some people liked his voice, some people didn’t,” Minnesota Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire said. “I have a lot of respect for the guy.”

Selig has been a bit of the Boy Who Cried Wolf in the past when it came to his retirement. He said in 2003 that he would step down at the end of 2006 but repeatedly has accepted new contracts.

Some owners had been skeptical in the past that he really would quit, but this marked the first time he issued a formal statement that he will give up the sport’s top job. He even gave an exact date: Jan. 24, 2015.

Advertisement

“I look forward to continuing its extraordinary growth and addressing several significant issues during the remainder of my term,” he said.

Selig’s length of service and impact on his sport matches those of Pete Rozelle, the NFL commissioner from 1960-89, and David Stern, who is stepping down in February after 30 years as the NBA commissioner.

Selig said he will soon announce a transition plan that will include a reorganization of central baseball management. Rob Manfred, baseball’s chief labor negotiator, has gained increased influence in recent years but it’s not clear whether Selig’s successor will come from within the commissioner’s office.

Many had speculated Selig wanted to surpass the term of Landis, who served from November 1920 to November 1944.

Perhaps the biggest mark on Selig’s tenure was the prevalence of performance-enhancing drugs. Management didn’t have a drug agreement with its players from October 1985 until August 2002, and drug testing with penalties didn’t start until 2004. Selig repeatedly has defended his record, saying baseball acted as fast as it could in a matter that was subject to bargaining with players.

“The game has grown under him tremendously. He’s made every effort to try to clean the game up,” New York Yankees Manager Joe Girardi said. “He’s left his mark on the game. There’s no doubt about it.”

Advertisement

YANKEES: Mariano Rivera may make a debut on his final weekend before retirement: as a center fielder.

Rivera, a closer in his 19th and final big league season, has said he’d like to play the outfield.

DIAMONDBACKS: Miguel Perez Quintana, 53, the team’s Spanish play-by-play announcer who was arrested for allegedly threatening his wife with a knife, pleaded not guilty.

CARLOS GOMEZ of Milwaukee and Reed Johnson of Atlanta each were suspended one game and fined after a benches-clearing argument between their teams.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.