As the folks at THT and around here have pointed out, Selig has done a masterful job of turning the owner's bad press on steroids towards the union. Not that the union was ever blame free, but they will end up with a lot more heat over the whole thing than MLB.

I think the "League Commissioner in Extremely Unpleasant Situation" trifecta is in play for Selig, Goodell, and Stern this week.

I think the "League Commissioner in Extremely Unpleasant Situation" trifecta is in play for Selig, Goodell, and Stern this week.

So how long until Sidney Crosby is caught with a dead hooker?

I think the "League Commissioner in Extremely Unpleasant Situation" trifecta is in play for Selig, Goodell, and Stern this week.

And Selig has the easiest situation of the three.

Goodell appears to be dealing with it by putting the ball in the Falcons' court. The pressure seems to be on Atlanta to do something, not on the NFL, at least for the moment.

Given that Selig refuses to even so much as mention Bonds by name when he's talking about him and the situation, it now seems fairly obvious how he really feels. I'd be surprised if he went out of his way to show up at any at all games in San Francisco.

I suspect that had Hank Aaron given his blessing and showed up to the games that Selig probably would have felt enormous pressure to do the same. But since everyone knows that Aaron despises Bonds and has no intention of being any part of it, Selig feels pretty comfortable in following suit.

He will truly be missed. It's the overwhelming personal credibility that Selig brings to the table that could have enshrined #756 as above reproach.

Meanwhile, TBS, which sometimes seems to have gotten out of the Atlanta Braves broadcasting business, will be showing the entire Giants series this week. (Because nobody cares about Bonds or the record chase.)

since everyone knows that Aaron despises Bonds

Hmmm.

But since everyone knows that Aaron despises Bonds and has no intention of being any part of it, Selig feels pretty comfortable in following suit.

Where "everyone" is Kevin + sock, and "knows" means "pulled out of ass." Did anybody happen to catch the discussion about Aaron's views on Sunday Night Baseball last night?

Where "everyone" is Kevin + sock, and "knows" means "pulled out of ass." Did anybody happen to catch the discussion about Aaron's views on Sunday Night Baseball last night?

No, but I heard Milt Pappas relating his recent conversations with Aaron on a radio show, and his take was that Aaron is disgusted at Barry's assault on the record. Then again, Pappas came across as a complete dick during the interview, so I was somewhat skeptical about the veracity of his claims.

I believe that Aaron's refusal to take part in it makes him look like a complete dick. I realize others feel much differently.

That'll be a bit awkward, having the team celebrate a historic achievement while the commissioner of the sport -- who, by the way, came explicitly to witness the historic achievement -- sits in a box and tries not to be seen.

That'll be a bit awkward, having the team celebrate a historic achievement while the commissioner of the sport -- who, by the way, came explicitly to witness the historic achievement -- sits in a box and tries not to be seen.

You know, Selig ain't the most photogenic guy anyway; him trying not to be seen can only be a positive.

You know, Selig ain't the most photogenic guy anyway; him trying not to be seen can only be a positive.

I have tried really, really hard, but I can't seem to give a flying #### if Selig celebrates the Home Run record or not. In fact, it would be nice to have a baseball moment with Mr. Used Car not around. He hits the home run, he runs the bases, he goes to the dugout, he takes his curtain call, maybe a second curtain call, and then get on with the game. Simplicity is best.

He will truly be missed. It's the overwhelming personal credibility that Selig brings to the table that could have enshrined #756 as above reproach.

That my friend, is quality snark.

Very well done.

Best Regards

John

I'll believe this when I see it. I expect there to be a stoppage of play, a celebration, and a Selig-Bonds handshake.

Even Seligula will take the high road at the moment of truth, because to do otherwise is bad for the sport. Bonds is MLB's Howard Stern: people who love him provide high ratings; people who hate him provide higher ratings.

Can Selig just be given the MVP trophy for both the NL and AL already and be done with? And the Cy Young awards. Selig is the best thing about MLB and the only thing worth watching and reading about in the game. Hurray Selig, Hurray, Hurray, Hurray.

...it would be nice to have a baseball moment with Mr. Used Car not around.

I second that emotion. Zelig pretty much has ruined every baseball moment he's ever been a part of.

As for Aaron, some of you need to pay closer attention. Hank Aaron has not said one bad word about Barry Bonds, and Barry Bonds has not said one bad word about Hank Aaron.

The reason Aaron is avoiding the thing is because it brings back intensely painful memories for him, and he doesn't want to be in the midst of all the bs again. If Hank could have been absent when he broke Ruth's record, he would have.

Get it?

Try to put yourself in the man's shoes before you piss on him.

I have tried really, really hard, but I can't seem to give a flying #### if Selig celebrates the Home Run record or not.

Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try.

I did see some Atlanta writer insist that Aaron's pass on the whole thing is completely about having survived one spectacle of breaking the home run record and not subjecting himself to another. Guy says it has nothing to do with steroids.

Honestly, I am not fired up enough about this whole thing to be able to weigh in on to what extent I buy that. I'm one of many who watched Hammerin' Hank hit 715 into Tom House's mitt and and numbed by this version.

Baseball is mucking this up so badly. This is an opportunity to celebrate what Aaron accomplished. It's a shame that Selig is incapable of positive spin.

No, but I heard Milt Pappas relating his recent conversations with Aaron on a radio show, and his take was that Aaron is disgusted at Barry's assault on the record. Then again, Pappas came across as a complete dick during the interview, so I was somewhat skeptical about the veracity of his claims.

He managed to get this in between complaints about Bruce Froeming? Musta been a long conversation.

I kid, Milt.. I kid.