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Thursday, December 11, 2008

Outgoing US President not interested in bossing baseball

US President George W. Bush has no interest in becoming the next commissioner of Major League Baseball, telling the Washington Post he looks forward to escaping the global spotlight.

Bush, a former owner of the Texas Rangers baseball club once linked to the top spot in the American pastime, spoke Wednesday about sports topics with the newspaper as he prepares to leave office next month for incoming Barack Obama.

“I’m looking forward to getting off the stage,” Bush told the Post. “I have done my duty to my country. I have given it my all. It’s now President-elect Obama’s time. I have had enough of the spotlight.”

In an alternate world: Castro played for the Senators, Dubya was commissioner, Reagan was in Casablanca and Gerald Ford played in the NFL. Jim Bunning just did autograph shows when he retired, and Walter Johnson was elected to Congress.

Gamingboy Posted: December 11, 2008 at 08:54 PM | 32 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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1. RMc's grumbling has gone far enough Posted: December 11, 2008 at 10:02 PM (#3026821)

One of my many unwritten (outside of an outline) alt-history stories: "Lou Gehrig's Ease", in which Gehrig doesn't get ALS and takes a political job in NYC after retiring in 1941. After the war, he's elected to Congress; in 1952, Ike (a huge baseball fan and semi-pro player himself) tabs him as his running mate. In 1960, Gehrig narrowly defeats JFK for the presidency, with New York making the difference.

Then comes November 22, 1963.

2. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: December 11, 2008 at 10:05 PM (#3026831)

I have done my duty to my country

Sir, you certainly have done it to us.

3. aleskel

Posted: December 11, 2008 at 10:12 PM (#3026847)

I think it's actually because he's afraid it would hurt his popularity ratings

4. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: December 11, 2008 at 10:29 PM (#3026878)

Slugger suspected of roiding? Guantanamo Bay awaits!

5. 3Com Park Posted: December 11, 2008 at 10:52 PM (#3026909)

I hope this doesn't mean Bud Selig's going to be President.

6. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: December 11, 2008 at 10:56 PM (#3026912)

I posed the question in the Dugout awhile back, pondering on how life would be different if Bush had been commish and Selig president. The discussion didn't go far.

7. The Good Face Posted: December 11, 2008 at 11:16 PM (#3026924)

I posed the question in the Dugout awhile back, pondering on how life would be different if Bush had been commish and Selig president.

The "Stephan Hawking" haircut would be known affectionately as "The Buddy" and would be the height of fashion. Meanwhile, the World Series would be hosted in Iraq with a 4AM EST starting time.

Lost opportunities all around...

8. Esoteric Posted: December 11, 2008 at 11:19 PM (#3026926)

Meanwhile, the World Series would be hosted in Iraq with a 4AM EST starting

But at least there wouldn't be anymore rainouts.

9. TerpNats Posted: December 11, 2008 at 11:30 PM (#3026936)

How about the alternate universe scenario where Bob Hope beats out Bob Short to buy the Senators in late 1968 and makes them perennial AL East contenders throughout the '70s and into the '80s?

10. still hunting for a halo-red october (in Delphi) Posted: December 11, 2008 at 11:44 PM (#3026951)

I'm glad he's spending his last weeks in the White House thinking about baseball. Now if he could stop channeling the ghosts of James Buchanan and Herbert Hoover, that'd be great...

11. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: December 11, 2008 at 11:46 PM (#3026954)

One of my many unwritten (outside of an outline) alt-history stories: "Lou Gehrig's Ease", in which Gehrig doesn't get ALS and takes a political job in NYC after retiring in 1941. After the war, he's elected to Congress; in 1952, Ike (a huge baseball fan and semi-pro player himself) tabs him as his running mate. In 1960, Gehrig narrowly defeats JFK for the presidency, with New York making the difference.

Then comes November 22, 1963.

Didn't you also write Das All Stars?

12. Jose Canusee Posted: December 12, 2008 at 01:02 AM (#3027010)

Rant all you want, as long as Steve Garvey doesn't get elected Senator. Mayor Casey is probably OK.

13. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot

Posted: December 12, 2008 at 01:53 AM (#3027030)

14. Gamingboy Posted: December 12, 2008 at 02:05 AM (#3027040)

Wait, if Kennedy isn't president, who bangs Marilyn Monroe? Does she end up remarrying Dimaggio? And without Monroe banging Kennedy, how was she killed in a possible conspiracy? And what about RFK, does he still run for president?

AHHHH!

15. Benji Gil Gamesh is not being paid to be that guy Posted: December 12, 2008 at 02:15 AM (#3027048)

He's already destroyed life and liberty, he doesn't want to go for the Triple Crown by ruining our pursuit of happiness as well?

16. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: December 12, 2008 at 02:17 AM (#3027051)

Wait, if Kennedy isn't president, who bangs Marilyn Monroe?

Who doesn't bang Marilyn Monroe?

17. Gamingboy Posted: December 12, 2008 at 02:25 AM (#3027056)

Who doesn't bang Marilyn Monroe?

Good point.

18. Exploring Leftist Conservatism since 2008 (ark..) Posted: December 12, 2008 at 02:26 AM (#3027057)

You guys aren't thinking Big Picture. Bush is venal, sociopathic (shoutout to Dan S!), and uses the power of his office to relentless funnel goodies to his chums and supporters. How would that NOT make him a perfect Commish?

19. Gamingboy Posted: December 12, 2008 at 02:32 AM (#3027062)

You guys aren't thinking Big Picture. Bush is venal, sociopathic (shoutout to Dan S!), and uses the power of his office to relentless funnel goodies to his chums and supporters. How would that NOT make him a perfect Commish?

Say what you will, but I do not believe Bud Selig is a sociopath. He is many things, but he is not a sociopath. He has some morals. Not many, but some.

20. tl; dr (Voxter)

Posted: December 12, 2008 at 02:41 AM (#3027071)

I think Selig's a classic case of a well-intentioned person totally bollocksing everything up. If he didn't already exist, someone could write a great novel about him.

21. TerpNats Posted: December 12, 2008 at 02:48 AM (#3027076)

Of course, in the ALS-free Gehrig alternate universe, Gary Cooper is now best known for playing Sgt. York and Teresa Wright's most notable role is in "Shadow Of A Doubt."

While we're at it, how about keeping the planes flying Carole Lombard and Buddy Holly in the air? Johnny Carson would've had a great time with Carole as a "Tonight Show" guest in the '60s, and imagine Buddy making albums with Paul McCartney and Marshall Crenshaw.

22. Rafael Bellylard: Built like a Molina Posted: December 12, 2008 at 02:49 AM (#3027077)

Who doesn't bang Marilyn Monroe?

There's something about this being in the present tense that makes it a little creepy.

23. Darren

Posted: December 12, 2008 at 02:49 AM (#3027078)

24. vortex of dissipation Posted: December 12, 2008 at 02:57 AM (#3027087)

One of my many unwritten (outside of an outline) alt-history stories: "Lou Gehrig's Ease", in which Gehrig doesn't get ALS and takes a political job in NYC after retiring in 1941. After the war, he's elected to Congress; in 1952, Ike (a huge baseball fan and semi-pro player himself) tabs him as his running mate. In 1960, Gehrig narrowly defeats JFK for the presidency, with New York making the difference.

Then comes November 22, 1963.

Gehrig appears in the first episode of Doctor Who? Cool!

25. tl; dr (Voxter)

Posted: December 12, 2008 at 03:02 AM (#3027091)

You really think Selig is not competent? I think he's been very successful at most of the things that he's tried to accomplish, among them growing the game's revenues to very high levels and increasing the percentage of those revenues that have gone to owners.

I think he's good at making money. I also think that there are other areas in which he is clearly deficient of foresight and planning, but tries hard. That's all. He's a complicated character. That's what makes him interesting.

26. Gamingboy Posted: December 12, 2008 at 03:17 AM (#3027109)

Gehrig appears in the first episode of Doctor Who? Cool!

Other things that happened on November 22 (besides JFK and Doctor Who): Scoop Jackson of ESPN.com was born, Alduous Huxley AND C.S. Lewis died that day as well.

27. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: December 12, 2008 at 03:23 AM (#3027114)

Who doesn't bang Marilyn Monroe?

Tricky Dick

28. willcarrollsux Posted: December 12, 2008 at 04:06 AM (#3027140)

Good. Because if President Bush becomes the boss of baseball, I'm out. No more baseball for me. Seriously.

29. RMc's grumbling has gone far enough Posted: December 12, 2008 at 09:00 AM (#3027249)

Gehrig appears in the first episode of Doctor Who? Cool!

"Johnny, tell vortex what's he's won!"
"A thread on the internet! Congratulations...!"

30. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: December 12, 2008 at 09:38 AM (#3027251)

In 1960, Gehrig narrowly defeats JFK for the presidency, with New York making the difference.
Then comes November 22, 1963.

And it's Houston, instead of Dallas. I can see Roy Harvey Oswalt, on that ridiculous grassy knoll in centerfield...

31. Gamingboy Posted: December 12, 2008 at 04:54 PM (#3027491)

Oh, and Cuomo became a star outfielder for the Yankees. As did John Elway.

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Outgoing US President not interested in bossing baseball

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