MLB Commissioner Bud Selig is not always the most well-liked professional leader in sports, but it's hard to argue that he has done more for baseball than many before him and as the All-Star game descends on New York and Citi Field, the head took to Late Night With David Letterman for an interview on the eve of the game.
Selig spoke with Letterman about a number of topics, including A-Rod, the Biogenesis scandal, his tenure, the All-Star game itself as well as the home run record. He stopped by a number of other places during the day as well, including the T-Mobile FanFest at the Jacob Javits Convention Center on Monday and the Chris (Mad Dog) Russo show on SiriusXM and he spoke about the same topics as well.
The Biogenesis could involve up to 20 players and while Selig was mum about it, he did mention Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees as well as the money involved in the deal between the two. Selig was at times funny and serious and spoke about his tenure as the head of the MLB.
Some quotes:
"What's going to happen to Alex Rodriguez? Is he ever going to play for the Yankees [again]?" Letterman asked during Selig's 12-minute segment between appearances by actor Bruce Willis and musical guest Valerie Simpson.
"Only time will tell," Selig said. "We're in the midst of a very thorough and tough investigation on all of this because I really believe it's not only the right thing to do, we're going to do it."
"Isn't there a sum of money that's at stake here if he doesn't play again this season?" Letterman asked.
Selig noted that was an issue between A-Rod and the Yankees.
"And that sum of money is incalculable?" Letterman responded.
"No, it's not incalculable. It's over $100 million, and it's been calculated by everyone," Selig said.
"I don't know how this works. Is he one that might be suspended?" Letterman asked.
"I'd rather not say," Selig responded.
"But you know, don't you? I can tell," Letterman said.
"I do. The answer is, I do," Selig said. The studio audience applauded.
"And how many players will be affected by the upcoming suspensions?" Letterman asked. "We believe that after [Tuesday night's] All-Star Game there will be a reckoning. Am I right about that?"
"At some point in the future," Selig said.
"And how many are we talking about? More than a dozen, less than a dozen?" Letterman continued.
"We don't know," Selig answered. "I'll say this, you are persistent."