Why the next commissioner should not be an owner?

It is very easy to proclaim; that once again having an owner as commissioner of baseball would be detrimental; to the future of the game.  But since Bud Selig was made commissioner; he did introduce the 3-team division format for both leagues, inter-league play; as well as the Wildcard for the best non-division winner and the introduction of the Division Series round in the playoffs; as a means to bring people back following the 1994 baseball strike; which resulted in increased excitement for fans during the final weeks of the baseball regular season, and postseason to this day.

But Bud has come under major scrutiny, from the MLB Players Union ; who still has some issues with Bud going back to the mid-80's with the first Baseball collusion scandal.; as it pertains to the financial success of the players, and the possibility of a salary cap; which the players union has refused countless time.

And from the fans; who scrutiny of Selig has come in a variety of ways; from the "tie" in the 2002 All-Star Game in Milwaukee, and the introduction of home-field advantage for the World Series; to add excitement to the exhibition game;  to the elimination of the American League and National League Presidents; as to streamline authority and control, and most importantly the lenience, denial and eventually admittance of steroid use in Major League Baseball.

Steroids had been in baseball since the mid-80's; initially with the explosion of home runs in 1987; but starting with the 1994 season, and after the strike, baseball needed something to get people back in the there seats, and with more players hitting more home runs, starting with the players return in 95'; fans returned in droves. culminating with the 1998 home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, followed by Barry Bonds breaking of McGwire's record three years later; but with the increase in home runs came with it increasing questions about players and the use of steroids; but Selig denied the belief that steroids was running rampant in baseball, until the BALCO scandal in 2003., and the Jose Canseco book "Juiced" the following year.

These incidents lead to a congressional hearing in 2005, in which Bud "believed" that players were taking steroids, and he would push for harsher supensions for players; but those policies were considered laughable, and only after increased threats by various Congressmen; that harsh penalties were initiated.


Bud Selig though helpful in increasing the financial well-being of Major League Baseball; was considered a major catalyst in prepatuating baseball's steroid troubles; as well as the various alleged collusion scandals, and the supposed loss of a generation of baseball fans; as a result of all of these troubles.


This is why the introduction of Peter Gammons; as the head of baseball would not only be a plus; in terms of positive P.R. for baseball; but the introduction of a non-partisan individual, into the commissioner's office could lead to the baseball's increased prosperity, and well-being in the future.