Joe Torre is willing to take the job as MLB Commissioner:
“I do not think that is realistic, Betty. But anything that the owners want me to do that they think I can help with in baseball, because it has been my professional life and I am certainly willing to do whatever it would take to — if they feel I can help the game. But I really do not envision that. “
Torre combines two traits that would make him a good leader for baseball. He’s media savvy, having worked in television, and he is trusted by his subordinates, so if they make a mistake, Torre won’t throw them under the bus. In my opinion, MLB could do a lot worse.
ESPN would certainly love having someone from one of the two teams in MLB for them.
I wonder if the players would be more accepting of Joe as he is a former player. Wasn’t he playing when the MLBPA was formed? Also, he managed quite successfully in the biggest media market for the most demanding owner.
He probably be far from the worst ever in that position–and quickly finding an acceptable candidate so that Selig isn’t tempted to linger is a definite must.