Credit Goes To Bud Selig

Sunday I took Natasha and Alex to the Brewers game. This is America. Dad, two of his daughters and a fun baseball team.

As we took our seats in the last row of our section, there in the skybox next to us was University of Wisconsin Athletic Director Barry Alvarez and Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig.

Before I could walk over to say hello, Bud Selig had gone inside to greet some friends so Barry and I chatted about Saturday's convincing win over Nebraska. I mumbled something to the Athletic Director about character and the fact that this Wisconsin team was more than athletic - they are bright, perseverant, patient and thoughtful. As though Alvarez didn't already know that.

The game was great. It was close at first. Ryan Braun continued to prove that he has character and as a Brewers fan, it was fun to watch the Diamondback's wheels come off.

It was an incredibly well played game. The Brewers have a healthy attitude and they have matured into players who know how to have fun without embarrassing themselves.

From the fourth inning on, with each pitch and each at bat I thought about Selig, wondering how he was feeling. I have not been generous with Selig both as owner and commissioner. I took exception to inter- league play, to halting the 2002 All-Star game when it was tied in extra innings, as well as to the flashing lights and artificial noise at Miller Park.

As the Brewers batted around in the sixth inning, I was thinking that a large part of this is Selig's team. Ryan Braun, Rickie Weeks, Prince Fielder, Cory Hart, and Yovani Gallardo are all a credit to the team Selig built.

When Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt struck out swinging to end the game and we all filed out, Selig stood alone surveying the field. I reached out, shook Bud's hand and simply said, "Congratulations."

 

 

Comments

[antpoppa]

We need artificial noise to support our political heads of state.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/30/president-bush-booed-at-b_n_94153.html

[Dave]

Ah yes, America's Game. Go Wisconsin!

[Jim Jones]

OK, maybe it's just me.

But when a team is as bad for as long as the Brewers were bad, even given the economics of small markets, some of the 'credit' belongs to the guy at the top. For me the key point of the Brewers resurgence was getting rid of the owner. There is absolutely no chance that the Brewers would be here if Bud were still in charge. None of the key personnel moves that led to their two post-season appearances since he left would have happened.

The Brewers are a much better team thanks to Bud getting a promotion to Commissioner.

[Jim Olson]

Catching up on some old entries, and just have to 2nd what Jim Jones said(hey, fellow Jim!)

Kudos to the Brewers' successful 2011 season should go to:
a. Current owner Mark Attanasio
b. Current GM Doug Melvin
c. Former scouting director/current Seattle Mariners' GM Jack Zduriencik, who helped draft most of the current roster, as well as his scouts and other player development personnel(many of whom are still with the team, but some of whom left with Jack when he took the M's GM job in late 2008).
d. Manager Ron Roenicke and his coaches.
e. And obviously, the players who have played well and hard to get to this point.

The only credit I give to Bud is for finally selling the team(and his daughter as well). And hopefully, he'll finally retire as commissioner like he's been promising!

Anyway, congrats to the Brewers on a great season. :)