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Bud Selig on the Home Run Derby: “Television wants a three-hour program”

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig speaks during a news conference in New York

Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig speaks during a news conference in New York, April 21, 2011. Major League Baseball (MLB), in an extraordinary move, plans to take control of the day-to-day operations of the Los Angeles Dodgers because of mounting concern over the franchise’s financial plight. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

REUTERS

Michael Kinsley once said that “a gaffe is when a politician tells the truth – some obvious truth he isn’t supposed to say.” Bud Selig just told one of those truths.

The Commissioner was doing a presser with the Baseball Writers Association of America here this morning, and one of the first topics which came up was the Home Run Derby. Selig acknowledged that the rain put a, um, damper on things last night, but also explained, perhaps unintentionally, why the Derby always drags on:

Selig on length of Home Run Derby: “Television wants a three-hour program.”

— Bill Brink (@BrinkPG) July 15, 2014


The tail wagging the dog is never a good look for sports and pretty much explains why the Home Run Derby is a snoozer.

Let us now ponder all of the other things television may want and whether it’s a good idea to give it to them.