When I covered state government as a reporter it was commonly known that if the governor didn't want to address an issue, he appointed a committee to study it. The more accolades he heaped on the committee members, the less likely we'd ever hear from them again.
So what does it tell us that Bud Selig has appointed a Blue Ribbon Panel to study...everything?
And what a distinguished panel it is. It could hardly get more distinguished if it comprised Kennesaw Mountain Landis, Abner Doubleday, Connie Mack and Branch Rickey.. No, really. Because the only difference between my group and Bud's is that my group is actually dead.
Bud's committee is the same retreads as every other Blue Ribbon Panel he's ever appointed. A bunch of old owners, a bunch of old executives, a bunch of old managers, a bunch of old players and representing all of fandom, a bunch of old George Will. Is there anything this illustrious group might conclude that they haven't already whispered into Bud's ear? It'd be like appointing your wife to study your sex appeal.
Among the issues this group will purportedly investigate are:
1. Whether there should be expanded instant replay. So is there an umpire on the committee? Uh, well, no.
2. How to speed up the action. So is there a player on the committee? Uh, no.
3. How to attract more young fans. So is there anyone under 40 on the committee? Uh...
4. What to do with the DH. So is there a union member or executive on the committee?
If Bud wants to know how to improve baseball, he could start by getting a Blue Ribbon Panel to tell him how to appoint members of a Blue Ribbon Panel. Of course, that's not the point, is it? What Bud really wants is cover for doing nothing by pointing out that the best minds are working on the great issues facing the game. Then, when they conclude that the solution to all of baseball's problems is a salary cap (of which, admittedly, I'd be fond) the Commish can simply blame others when it doesn't get done.
It's a great strategy for keeping the status quo. But Bud already knew that. The same distinguished gentlemen of his last Blue Ribbon Committee told him so.
b
If Bud wants to know how to improve baseball, he could start by getting a Blue Ribbon Panel to tell him how to appoint members of a Blue Ribbon Panel. Of course, that's not the point, is it? What Bud really wants is cover for doing nothing by pointing out that the best minds are working on the great issues facing the game. Then, when they conclude that the solution to all of baseball's problems is a salary cap (of which, admittedly, I'd be fond) the Commish can simply blame others when it doesn't get done.
It's a great strategy for keeping the status quo. But Bud already knew that. The same distinguished gentlemen of his last Blue Ribbon Committee told him so.
b
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