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.

I have done my duty to my country

Sir, you certainly have done it to us.

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

Slugger suspected of roiding? Guantanamo Bay awaits!

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

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.

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...

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

But at least there wouldn't be anymore rainouts.

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?

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...

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?

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

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.

Which begins with the appearance of full page ads in the Dallas Morning News screaming "LOU GEHRIG---WANTED FOR TREASON"..........

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!

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?

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

Who doesn't bang Marilyn Monroe?

Who doesn't bang Marilyn Monroe?

Good point.

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?

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.

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.

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.

Who doesn't bang Marilyn Monroe?

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

Sounds like a Howard Waldrop story I once read...

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.

Who doesn't bang Marilyn Monroe?

Tricky Dick

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

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

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

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...

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