by Bud Selig
Milwaukee is a great baseball city. I love spending time with Brewers fans, and still find it humbling when someone wants my autograph. (Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club)
I got to talk hitting with Hall of Famer Ted Williams in the stands during the 1999 All-Star Game. I loved getting unexpected phone calls from him when I served as commissioner. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos)
I believe baseball helped America get back on its feet after the 9/11 terrorist acts, which is why the 2001 World Series was a personal favorite. Here I’m presenting the Roberto Clemente Award to Curt Schilling before game 2 in Phoenix. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos)
I’ve known Joe Torre since he was a teenager, and I was proud of the dynasty he helped put together with the Yankees. Here I’m presenting the MVP trophy to the Yankees’ Scott Brosius after their sweep of San Diego in the 1998 World Series. (Photo by Bob Rosato/MLB Photos)
It was a call from Ken Griffey Jr. that prompted me to have every player wear Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 on the anniversary of Jackie’s first game with the Dodgers. Here I’m presenting Griffey with the Home Run Derby trophy at the 1999 All-Star Game. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos)
As an owner and commissioner, I prided myself on being available to reporters. Here I’m being interviewed by Fox Sports’ Jeanne Zelasko after the fifth game of the 2006 World Series in St. Louis. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
I’ll admit that my move from the County Stadium office to a thirtieth-floor commissioner’s office in downtown Milwaukee was a bit of an upgrade. I was thankful the owners gave me a chance to run baseball from my hometown. (Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club)
Once we had reached labor peace with the Players Association, we began some great partnerships with players, including the World Baseball Classic. This was a great time for me and the game, as showed when I visited the interview room before a U.S.-Canada game at Chase Field in 2006. (Photo by Jason Wise/MLB Photo via Getty Images)
The Yankees were my favorite team growing up, and easy to root for when my friend Joe Torre managed them. Here I’m talking to Joe and comedian Billy Crystal, in Miami before a game in the 2003 World Series. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos)
President Barack Obama threw out the first pitch at the 2009 MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis. We talked about his love for baseball, especially his Chicago White Sox, later that evening. (Photo courtesy of Wendy Selig)
Notes in hand, I was on the stage with National Baseball Hall of Fame Chairman, Jane Forbes Clark, for inductions in 2009. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
My family sold the Brewers to Mark Attanasio in 2005. Mark honored me by creating The Selig Experience, a permanent exhibit at Miller Park, in 2014. I shared a lot of gratitude when that was announced. (Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club)
Vera Clemente, Roberto Clemente’s widow, joins me presenting the Mets’ Carlos Delgado with the Roberto Clemente Award during the 2006 World Series in St. Louis. (Photo by Brad Mangin/ MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Here I’m joined by Mark Attanasio, who bought the Brewers, before a game in 2010. He’s done a great job with the franchise, who I cheered on in the postseason in 2018. (Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club)
Joined on the field for a ceremony by Mark Attanasio and my longtime friend, Bob Uecker. He’s one of the funniest men alive and an absolutely terrific broadcaster. (Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club)
Sharing a laugh with Mariano Rivera as I presented him with the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award during the 2013 World Series. (Photo by Rob Tringali/ MLB Photos via Getty Images)
I’ve been friends with Henry Aaron since 1958. Here I’m joining him to present the Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera with the Henry Aaron Award during the 2013 World Series. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Rob Manfred, who succeeded me as commissioner in 2015, was essential to my work in finally negotiating a labor agreement without a work stoppage in 2002. He also worked in the trenches as MLB persevered to institute the toughest PED policy in professional sports. Here we’re announcing a deal with the Players Association in 2011. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Celebrating my eightieth birthday with my family. (Photo courtesy of Wendy Selig)
Surrounded by family outside the Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown, NY, in 2017. It was the thrill of a lifetime to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. (Photo courtesy of Wendy Selig)
Viewing my plaque on the wall in Cooperstown. That day was a little boy’s wildest dream come true, in a way I could have never foreseen. (Photo courtesy of Wendy Selig)
About the Authors
BUD SELIG was the ninth commissioner of baseball. A lifelong baseball fan and long-term baseball executive, he’s known for his numerous contributions to America’s Pastime, including reform of drug testing policies and labor relations, and has been tenured for more than two decades. He lives with his wife, Sue, and they have three daughters.
PHIL ROGERS is a baseball writer who has reported on the sport for the Chicago Tribune, the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Times Herald, MLB.com, and the MLB Network. He is the author of three other books, including Ernie Banks: Mr. Cub and the Summer of ’69. He lives in Chicago.
Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.
Copyright
MLB trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League baseball.
FOR THE GOOD OF THE GAME. Copyright © 2019 by Allan H. Selig. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
FIRST EDITION
Cover design by Owen Corrigan
Cover photographs © Dan Thornberg/Shutterstock (inner baseball); © Martin Mistretta/Getty Images (outer baseball)
Digital Edition JULY 2019 ISBN: 978-0-06-290597-0
Version 05302019
Print ISBN: 978-0-06-290595-6
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