selig angry at marlins?

May 13, 200323 yr

credit ESPN.com

The Florida Marlins made their move Sunday.

But it's a move that apparently made MLB commissioner Bud Selig very unhappy.

According to a report in the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel on Tuesday, a high-ranking MLB official said the commissioner is "very upset" that Florida hired 72-year-old Jack McKeon as its new manager without following Selig's minority-hiring initiative.

The Marlins fired Jeff Torborg, and brought in McKeon over the weekend. But according to the report, the MLB official said the hiring "appears to be a clear violation" of baseball policy.

In 1999, Selig sent notice to clubs requiring them to notify his office when upper-level positions became open, including a manager and general manager. At that point, teams must also provide Selig with a list of minority candidates.

And whether it's during the season or not, the office is supposed to review the minority candidates before teams make any managerial hires. According to the report, at least two minority candidates are usually interviewed for such positions.

With Florida apparently not following this system, an investigation is expected to start in the coming days.

While Marlins general manager Admin Beinfest would not say if other candidates besides McKeon were interviewed, he said through his spokesman that the proper procedures were followed.

According to the Sun-Sentinel's report, industry sources said the Marlins might have been able to evade the minority-hiring rule by promoting someone from their major or minor league staff to replace Torborg.

But by looking outside and interviewing only McKeon, the Marlins left themselves open to a significant penalty.

Selig has the power to fine teams up to $2 million. McKeon's contract runs through the season's end, and sources said he will make about $385,000 over the final 20 weeks of the regular season.

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