Owners Unanimously Agree to Give More Power to Selig

Baseball’s 30 owners, in what one called a move of “historic significance,” voted unanimously Wednesday to give Commissioner Bud Selig more power and asked him to work to rectify the competitive gap between rich teams and small-market franchises.

In addition, the owners, meeting in Phoenix, approved transfer of control of the Dodgers from the Fox Group to Robert Daly, the $320-million sale of the Cleveland Indians from Richard Jacobs to Lawrence J. Dolan and a raise in the ceiling for fines against teams from $250,000 to $2 million.

Under his duties described in “the best interests of baseball” section of a newly approved constitution, Selig will be allowed to widen the areas within his purview and will have unprecedented power to deal with economic issues.

“I feel very deeply about the best-interest clause,” Selig said. “I very much appreciate what all 30 clubs did today and did it so quickly. With that comes a lot of responsibility, which I accept, and you will see the result as time goes on.”

Said San Diego Padre President Larry Lucchino: “Today baseball woke up and recognized there was an 800-pound gorilla sitting in our living room, and that gorilla was a trend toward a lack of competitive balance in the game. The public has recognized it, the media has recognized it and now we have recognized it in a very formal way.

“Not only do we want to change the structure of baseball with this new constitution, but we also want to pass a resolution and 30 owners--who probably can’t agree on the same time of day--agreed unanimously to formally request the commissioner to take action.

“That is of some historic significance.”

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Mariano Rivera, the first New York Yankee pitcher to record two 40-save seasons, is asking for $9.25 million in salary arbitration. The team is offering $7.25 million. . . . Second baseman Homer Bush, 27, who batted .320 in his first full season as a starter while earning $227,000, agreed to a three-year, $7.3-million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. . . . The St. Louis Cardinals avoided arbitration with all-star pitcher Kent Bottenfield, 30, by signing the right-hander to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed for Bottenfield, who earned $800,000 last season while going a career-best 18-7 with a 3.97 earned-run average. . . . Agreeing to minor league contracts were former Dodger outfielder Trenidad Hubbard (Braves), infielder Archi Cianfrocco and right-hander Brett Hinchcliffe (Angels), outfielder Marty Cordova (Red Sox), infielder Luis Sojo (Pirates), third baseman Charlie Hayes (Mets) and right-hander Bobby Witt (Indians).

Miscellany

Mike Tyson ran into more trouble with women’s rights groups in London when he reportedly called them “frustrated women who want to be men.” The former heavyweight champion, who fights Britain’s Julius Francis on Jan. 29 in Manchester, also faces a fine for breaking British regulations by jogging in Hyde Park at 3 a.m.

Paul Cayard’s AmericaOne team, and Italy’s Prada Challenge will use the same boats in the America’s Cup challenger finals that they used in the semifinals.

Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk, 46, canceled his plans to come out of retirement after former teammate Sam Schmidt was left paralyzed from the chest down in a Jan. 6 accident during an Indy Racing League test. . . . Portuguese driver Carlos Sousa and his co-driver, Joao Manuel Luz, were seriously injured in a four-car crash during the Dakar Rally in Libya, organizers said. Details of their condition were not available. Six other participants were injured. . . . Motor racing legend Dan Gurney was chosen the winner of the first Shav Glick Award, given for distinguished achievement in racing by a Californian. Gurney will receive the award, which honors the motor sports writer of the Los Angeles Times, on April 30 at the NASCAR Winston Cup NAPA Auto Parts 500 at California Speedway.

Miami Hurricane linebacker Nate Webster might have compromised his eligibility by filing a document to make himself available for the NFL draft before he decided to return for his senior season. School officials are working with the NFL and NCAA to determine his status.

Clarification

The Sparks will play one more season in the Great Western Forum but say they do not have a contract to play in Staples Center for 2001, as was reported Wednesday. However, it is NBA policy that WNBA teams play in NBA arenas.