BOSTON — It’s no surprise that Bud Selig has a few interesting stories after serving as Major League Baseball commissioner for over 20 years.
On Saturday, Selig took his farewell tour to Fenway Park and discussed some of his favorite memories of America’s Most Beloved Ballpark. His most memorable Fenway moment as commissioner came during the 1999 All-Star Game, when he had the honor of watching the first five innings with Boston Red Sox legend Ted Williams.
According to Selig, Williams turned to him following their discussion and said, “You have the hardest (expletive) job in America.”
Here’s hoping Selig reminded The Splendid Splinter he hit .406 with the Red Sox in 1941, which probably is more difficult to accomplish than any front office work.
Selig also shared a moment from his childhood. He visited Fenway Park in 1949 for the first time with his mother to see New York Yankees great Joe DiMaggio. Unfortunately for little Bud, tickets for the game were sold out and he couldn’t get in. Thirty years later, he took his mother back to Fenway for a series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
“It’s not a secret that Wrigley Field and Fenway Park are my two favorite ballparks,” Selig said Saturday. “It’s stunning to me the way they’ve been able to be preserved.”
Selig was honored as part of a presentation before Saturday’s Red Sox-Yankees game. He’s set to retire in January 2015.
Photo via Twitter/@PeteAbe
