Commissioner Bud Selig suspends John Rocker until May 1, a span of 73 days, due to the Braves closer’s racial and ethnic insensitive remarks
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Commissioner Bud Selig suspends John Rocker until May 1, a span of 73 days, due to the Braves closer’s racial and ethnic insensitive remarks

“I would retire first. It’s the most hectic, nerve-racking city. Imagine having to take the [Number] 7 train to the ballpark, looking like you’re [riding through] Beirut next to some kid with purple hair next to some queer with AIDS right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It’s depressing.” – JOHN ROCKER, commenting in a Sports Illustrated article on his feelings about playing for a New York team. Commissioner Bud Selig suspends John Rocker until May 1, a span of 73 days, due to the Braves closer’s racial and ethnic insensitive remarks reported in a Sports Illustrated article written by Jeff Pearlman. The 25 year-old reliever from Georgia, who is also fined $20,000 and ordered to attend sensitivity training, becomes the first player to be disciplined for comments made publicly.

Gambler Howard Spira is arrested for extorting money from New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner
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Gambler Howard Spira is arrested for extorting money from New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner

1990 – Gambler Howard Spira is arrested for extorting money from New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who paid Spira $40,000 in January. The Commissioner will suspend Steinbrenner because of his relationship with the unsavory caracter.

Pete Rose signs 5 page document banning him from Baseball
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Pete Rose signs 5 page document banning him from Baseball

“In the absence of a hearing and therefore in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, I am confronted by the factual record of the Dowd report, and on the basis of that, yes, I have concluded that he bet on baseball.” – A. BARTLETT GIAMATTI, commissioner commenting on Pete Rose’s lifetime banishment. “Regardless of what the commissioner said today, I did not bet on baseball.” – PETE ROSE, defending himself at Riverfront Stadium news conference. Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti, stating he believed that Pete Rose had bet on games, including those of the team he managed, announces an agreement that bans Mr. Rose permanently from baseball. The five-page agreement, signed by the commissioner and the Reds manager, does not indicate the suspension is specifically for betting on baseball games and does not include language that Rose wagered bets on games.

Commissioner Peter Ueberroth reinstates Hall of Fame members Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle
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Commissioner Peter Ueberroth reinstates Hall of Fame members Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle

1985 – Commissioner Peter Ueberroth reinstates Hall of Fame members Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, who had been banned from association with organized baseball by former commissioner Bowie Kuhn due to their employment by Atlantic City casinos. Ueberroth’s ruling will allow both men to pursue employment with major league teams.

Peter Ueberroth takes over the reins of major league baseball as the sport’s sixth commissioner

Peter Ueberroth takes over the reins of major league baseball as the sport’s sixth commissioner. The former L.A. Olympic president will immediately face a crisis when he needs to arbitrate the labor disagreement with the umpires’ union, who have threatened to strike before the start of the League Championship Series.

Peter Ueberroth is elected commissioner of baseball

Peter Ueberroth is elected commissioner of baseball

On March 3, 1984, Peter Ueberroth is elected commissioner of baseball, succeeding Bowie Kuhn starting on October 1, 1984. Ueberroth, the president of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, will become the game’s sixth commissioner. Ueberroth will serve a five-year term before giving way to A. Bartlett Giamatti. Peter Ueberroth will receive compensation of $450,000,…

American League President Lee MacPhail rules in favor of George Brett

American League President Lee MacPhail rules in favor of George Brett

On July 28, 1983, American League President Lee MacPhail rules in favor of the Kansas City Royals, who had protested the recently disputed “Pine Tar Game.” MacPhail rules that George Brett’s home run should count and orders the game to be replayed from that point. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@

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Mickey Mantle is ordered to sever his ties with Major League Baseball by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn

1983 – One day after taking a job as director of sports promotions for the Claridge Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, Mickey Mantle is ordered to sever his ties with Major League Baseball by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn. Mantle joins fellow Hall of Famer Willie Mays as players banned from baseball by Kuhn for involvement with legalized gambling.

The National League owners block the re-election of Bowie Kuhn, thus ending his fourteen-year reign as baseball’s boss

The National League owners block the re-election of Bowie Kuhn, thus ending his fourteen-year reign as baseball’s boss

The National League owners block the re-election of Bowie Kuhn, thus ending his fourteen-year reign as baseball’s boss. Next year, the commissioner’s supporters will make a failed last-ditch effort to retain him, but he will be allowed to stay in his position to the end of the 1984 regular season, before being replaced by Peter Ueberroth.

The Commissioner’s office announces lifetime passes to any major or minor league regular season game will be given to the returning 52 Iranian hostages and the 14 others who were released earlier during the ordeal. In 1973, MLB made a similar gesture to the hundreds of prisoners of war who were returning from Vietnam.

The Commissioner’s office announces lifetime passes to any major or minor league regular season game will be given to the returning 52 Iranian hostages and the 14 others who were released earlier during the ordeal. In 1973, MLB made a similar gesture to the hundreds of prisoners of war who were returning from Vietnam.

The Commissioner’s office announces lifetime passes to any major or minor league regular season game will be given to the returning 52 Iranian hostages and the 14 others who were released earlier during the ordeal. In 1973, MLB made a similar gesture to the hundreds of prisoners of war who were returning from Vietnam.