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Selig visits Tropicana Field
Commissioner pleased with Rays' direction
By Paul C. Smith
MLB.com

ST. PETERSBURG -- Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig made his first visit to Tropicana Field on Wednesday night and watched the Devil Rays-Giants game from Vince Naimoli's suite.
He addressed the Tampa Bay media beforehand and discussed a variety of topics, from revenue sharing to potential changes in the playoff system. He also said he is pleased with the direction the Rays are headed.

"They know they have to get their attendance up but I feel very comfortable with the franchise," Selig said. "I have no concerns about the Devil Rays."

Selig said that MLB's new revenue-sharing system has allowed small-market teams like the Rays to sink more money into areas such as player development.

"I've seen the figures myself," Selig said. "At our meetings we share that financial information among all the clubs. Everybody knows what every other team is spending the money on. And I told them to call me if they have any questions or complaints. No one has called."

Selig also said contraction is no longer an issue.

"With the new [labor agreement until 2006], it's obviously off the table," Selig said. "And our new economic system works so well, and will work so well, that there will not be any need for contraction."

Selig also said that, before the game, Naimoli and St. Petersburg mayor Rick Baker had made a proposal to bring the All-Star Game to Tropicana Field. He did not say if that was a possibility.

The All-Star Game will be in Houston next month and Detroit next year. In 2006, it will be in a National League city again (possibly San Francisco), so the Rays would be shooting for the 2007 game.

Selig also said the owners had seriously discussed adding two more teams to the playoff system but, because of the popularity of the playoffs in 2003, they had backed off.

"I'm not so sure we ought to change it," Selig said.

Paul C. Smith is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.