Wednesday, February 25, 2009

MLB Decides Maybe they Shouldn't Ignore the Whole Minority Hiring Thing

Apparently someone reminded Selig that Al Campanis wasn't such a good face for MLB. My sources (aka my gut, intuition, and the thin air) tell me Jim's still done, but I'm guessing that the league office decided maybe they should interview a black guy or two to run the team in the town once known as Chocolate City. We'll have to wait a while longer, but the outcome should be the same. At least that's how I choose to interpret this latest news from Chico Harlan:
The Washington Nationals, contrary to a published report, have neither requested nor been granted approval from Commissioner Bud Selig to forgo a rule that would require them to consider minority candidates for a general manager opening, a Major League Baseball spokesman said today.

Such a request could indicate the team is taking steps to replace General Manager Jim Bowden, whose job has been jeopardized by his role in an ongoing FBI investigation into the skimming of Latin American prospects' signing bonuses.

If the Nationals were to replace Bowden, they would be faced with a job opening at an unusual time and would want to expedite the process of filling it. Still, a league source said the team would be expected to adhere to league-mandated guidelines for considering minority candidates, should they decide to go outside the organization for a permanent hire, but would be allowed to appoint an interim GM from within the organization without following those guidelines.

6 comments:

Mike said...

Dave Winfield would be a sensible person to interview, IMHO.

Anonymous said...

Not so sure it's true...Selig knows this is a desperate situation, action must be taken. Actually, when put up against Mike Rizzo and Deric Ladnier, Tony LaCava sounds like the minority candidate.

An Briosca Mor said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kenny G said...

In the interest of getting the next general manager on board before the season starts, I would bet the team would stay internal. Mike Rizzo is a great candidate and I believe is #4 on a list of prospective GMs (can't remember the source). I'm on the "Fire Bowden - Promote Rizzo" bandwagon at the moment.

However, if there is a better move for the team, then so be it.

John O'Connor said...

Why don't they interview Jose Rijo? I hear he's available?

James Bjork said...

backyAt this point, now that it's common knowledge that the Nats have their eye on a particular candidate, what self-respecting Black guy would even want to interview-- knowing full well that they will not be seriously considered, and will be fed some BS about why the preferred candidate ultimately gets the job?