Commissioner Selig gives no sign MLB will move 2011 All-Star game over Arizona immigration law

Selig gives no sign MLB moving 2011 All-Star game

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Bud Selig considers Arizona’s new immigration law a political issue and is showing no signs that Major League Baseball will shift next year’s All-Star game out of the state.

A day after Milwaukee pitcher Yovani Gallardo and other All-Stars said they could envision boycotting the 2011 game at Phoenix in protest, the commissioner never mentioned a possible shift.

The situation “will be solved in the political process at the appropriate time,” Selig said Tuesday. “We’ll do things when baseball can influence decisions.”

Speaking to members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America before the All-Star game at Angel Stadium, Selig hit several topics. Among them, he said:

—Players and executives expressed “little appetite” for expanded replay, even after Armando Galarraga lost a perfect game on an umpire’s missed call.

—MLB is “exploring ways” to trim the season so the World Series doesn’t run deeper into November. Starting next season on a Thursday was a possibility.

—He still intends to retire after 2012.

Asked whether there was a chance Pete Rose’s lifetime ban could be lifted before then, Selig declined to say. “I am the judge in the case,” he said. “He has a right to appeal.”

Selig reiterated he thought the Tampa Bay Rays needed a new stadium. He did not offer any details on the protracted sale of the Texas Rangers, which is in bankruptcy court.

Selig spoke a few hours after learning New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner had died at age 80.

“Nobody loved his team more than he did,” he said.

“He was clearly a giant in the sport,” Selig said. “When you think about what the New York Yankees were in 1973 and you think about what they are today.”

The commissioner said he knew Steinbrenner for nearly four decades and they were close friends even though “George and I always seemed to be on the opposite sides of the fence.”

“George never gave me a problem,” he said. “Not one problem.”

Selig said they traditionally resolved a couple of their lesser disputes with “gentlemanly wagers.” When their favorite college football teams matched up, Steinbrenner took Ohio State and Selig backed Wisconsin. In the NFL, Steinbrenner sided with Tampa Bay and Selig went with Green Bay.

“Actually, I did pretty well,” Selig said.

Selig’s brother and brother-in-law recently died, and the commissioner paused to gather himself after talking about Steinbrenner.

“I’m sorry this day happened,” he said.