As part of outgoing MLB commissioner Bud Selig’s farewell tour he is visiting every major league team’s home ballpark and Friday it was Dodger Stadium’s turn. But instead of a run-of-the-mill press conference, the energetic 82-year-old commissioner began things by presenting Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully with the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award, the 14th such award he has ever presented and only the second to a non-player joining Rachel Robinson.

“Vin Scully is a treasure of the National Pastime,” said Selig. “From Brooklyn to Los Angeles, from Jackie Robinson through Henry Aaron and from Sandy Koufax through Clayton Kershaw, Vin has depicted the history of the Dodgers and the timeless beauty of our game with class and grace. Major League Baseball is honored to commend Vin Scully’s 65 years of excellence.”

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig presents Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully with only the 14th Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award and only the second to a non-player.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

After a brief statement Selig began fielding questions that ranged from where getting rid of Frank McCourt ranked among his career accomplishments to what his future plans are. But then it was time to ask the question that has been on everybody’s front burner – was he (MLB) going to address the controversies over Rule 7.13, the so-called “Posey Rule,” before the upcoming postseason?

“You know, I wasn’t too smart, I should have brought [Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Joe] Torre here today, everybody’s asking me about that,” said Selig. “He just sent out some more stuff to the clubs. Look, any new rule always needs refinement, it’s been the history in this sport. And so what I would say to you is that there’s actually been very little controversy. Interestingly enough I’m almost surprised at the lack of controversy but it needs work, there’s no question. Joe has worked on it.

“Remember this came from Bruce Bochy and Mike Matheny and Joe Torre and catchers and so on and so forth,” continued Selig. “I think overall we’re doing alright but it does needs work and it needs work in the off season, but no, I’m really not concerned.”

When the questions got specific, Selig’s answers got vague.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka).

Needless to say, Selig’s answer left the gathered media even more confused about Rule 7.13 than when they arrived. Apparently Selig hasn’t been watching many games because it happens nearly every night somewhere in the MLB. Either that or the controversies that Selig says doesn’t exist are being buffered from him by Joe Torre and his crew.

There is, of course, one other explanation – Selig simply does not want to deal with it and plans to dump the entire 7.13 mess on incoming commissioner Rob Manfred’s doorstep. The obvious problem with this is that there is little doubt that there will be at least one and probably several 7.13 challenges during the upcoming postseason and teams are no more clear on it now than they were when it was first implemented on opening day. And the thought of a playoff game, or worse, a World Series game being decided by some guy sitting in a small office in Chelsea Market in Manhattan is absolutely terrifying.

When asked about the “stuff” that was just sent out to all 30 MLB teams, Selig dodged the question entirely.

“Well you know, when you sit in my chair people will call you and grumble about everything, even the weather which, whether they know it or not, I don’t control,” said Selig. “But I’ve had very little complaints from playing personnel, general managers or owners on this rule, in fact almost none. But that doesn’t mean… look, Joe Torre is spending a lot of time on it and I know, talking to some managers on it, I talked to a lot of managers all the time and everybody says ‘alright, we’ll work it out, there’s some things that we can do,’ but that’s for the off-season.”

So there you have it – Lame Duck 101.