Senate Leader George Mitchell Emerges as Leading Candidate for Baseball Commissioner

Strategic Insights -

Senate Democratic leader George Mitchell is now the leading candidate for the position of baseball commissioner, having removed his name from consideration for a seat on the Supreme Court. Mitchell, a 60-year-old senator from Maine, had been considering a possible nomination to the Supreme Court or as commissioner of Major League Baseball, but has now focused on the baseball role. The search for a new commissioner has been suspended due to labor negotiations between the owners and players, but Mitchell's name is certainly in the mix.

Key Takeaways:

  • George Mitchell, Senate Democratic leader, has removed his name from consideration for a seat on the Supreme Court and is now a leading candidate for the position of baseball commissioner.
  • Mitchell had been considering a possible nomination to the Supreme Court or as commissioner of Major League Baseball, but has now focused on the baseball role.
  • The search for a new commissioner has been suspended due to labor negotiations between the owners and players.
  • The dispute between the owners and players could potentially lead to a strike this season, with labor negotiations scheduled to resume after the outcome is resolved.
  • Milwaukee Brewers owner Bud Selig is chairman of the Major League Baseball Executive Council, which has assumed the commissioner's role.
  • Donald Fehr, head of the Baseball Players Association, has stated that Mitchell's candidacy for commissioner is something they need to consider, but has not had an opportunity to discuss it with him.
  • The position of baseball commissioner has been vacant for 19 months, since Fay Vincent was forced out by the owners.

Statistics:

  • 19 months: The amount of time the position of baseball commissioner has been vacant since Fay Vincent's departure.
  • 60: The age of Senate Democratic leader George Mitchell.
  • 1: The number of time the search committee has suspended its operation in January pending the outcome of labor negotiations.
  • 3: The number of times his name has come up in consideration for the position of baseball commissioner.
  • 1: The number of times Donald Fehr has discussed Mitchell's candidacy for commissioner.

Sources:

  • "Senate Leader Mitchell Could Be Baseball Commissioner" by The New York Times, no date (the text does not provide a publication date)