As a baseball fan I have found it easy on occasion to heckle and blame Bud Selig for the problems America’s Pastime has encountered over the past 11 seasons. But I stand here today looking at all he has been through and been apart of as commissioner, and I think it will soon be time (if it isn’t already) for him to step down and Baseball to anoint a new commissioner. After quick discussion amongst friends over a few cocktails and obviously way too much time on my hands I tried to think who would be the best candidate for the next commissioner of baseball? A few names were spurted about during our conversation from the meaningful (Cal Ripken, Nolan Ryan and George W. Bush) to the ridiculous (Senator Mitchell, Tony Larussa and Pat Gillick) to the laughable (Roger Clemens, Mark Mcgwire, Ozzie Guillen and Steve Howe) I came to a conclusion that I think would be the perfect fit for baseball. He’d be a hit with the fans, the players and the owners… he is…. Joe Torre. Yes, Joe Torre and here is why…

 #1- He has a charming sense of humor, he once retorted to a question on his record breaking performance “"I'd like to thank Félix Millán for making all of this possible." (Regarding setting the NL record for most double plays grounded into in a single game, 4, July 21, 1975. Millan batted ahead of Torre in the lineup, singling in all four of his at bats.[

 #2- He has won as a player and as a coach. Personal honors (MVP in 1971) and as a manager (all those titles with the Yankees)

 #3- He sat in the hottest seat in the biggest pressure cooker in baseball and rarely did we see him sweat. Could you have imagined him on capital hill answer questions about integrity, something I truly believe he will never waver upon. As a manager of the Yankees he had to watch his words closely, yet was still an advocate for both sides of the issue. (Publicly defending Jason Giambi’s apology, publicly denouncing the myth that many clubs had knowledge of the steroid use amongst players)

 #4- He’s just so likeable, even if you hate him, he can still make you respect him.

 "He's always the same. That's the reason he's been so successful. He relays that to us in good times, bad times, and he's got the perfect mentality, I think, for a manager." Derek Jeter on Joe Torre

  #5- He’s seen both sides of the political issues inside of baseball. In his playing days he was a players representative for the union (if Im not mistaken) and was influential in the players getting the right to free agency. He also sat-in and helped keep the dialogue between the players and ownership during the 1995 strike.

 #6- He’s got the right mindset “"What I try to do is make sense, try to be as honest as I can possibly be and be able to communicate. I think that's the most important thing. Whether you're managing a baseball team or running a business, I think it's all about people." -Joe Torre

 #7- He’s never been bashful about making an important yet controversial decision. He batted A-rod 8th when he was struggling two seasons ago, he started Derek Jeter as a rookie, stayed with his coaching staff almost completely intact, resigned last season instead of taking one year offer stating "I just felt that the terms of the contract were probably something I had the toughest time with. The one year, for one thing; the incentives for another thing. I had been there for 12 years, and I didn't feel the motivation was needed. I just didn't think it was the right thing for me, or the right thing for my players.” I just don’t think that he would have settled for a tie in the All-star game nor would he have even allowed the thought that he would nor could have snubbed Barry Bonds on his route to becoming the home run king, he also wouldn’t have allowed baseball to crumble at the edges like it did before the Mitchell investigation. I believe he would have been forthcoming and had an investigation inquiry started on the subject way before Jose Canseco opened his mouth.

 #8- He was seen as a pillar of strength within the New York community during and after 9/11. His endearment to the tragedy and the community he lived in was evident in everything he did and said during that time. Almost political like in his approach throughout that period of time, he seemed to carefully think about his every statement and his whereabouts. Many still regard the first game back and the image of him and his team wearing the FDNY and NYPD hats as a form of healing and help within the mental aspects of the aftermath of the tragedy. (God bless those lost and those left behind)

  #9- the man has been a Manager in the American League and the National League. I know that doesn’t sound like much, but there is a quaint difference in the leagues and I think he and Tony Larussa probably understand this better than anyone in baseball.

 #10- he signed a three year contract with the Dodgers, but he also brought along his manager replacement in training, Don Mattingly. So it’s not inconceivable that Joe Torre if he has success this season stepping down earlier than his contract states to give Mattingly the position and accept the commissioner’s office. And if I am not mistaken Bud Selig just recently signed a two year extension a few months back, so the timing could work perfectly.

 Well those are my reasons why I think Joe Torre should be next in line to be the commissioner of America’s Pastime. Plus who wouldnt want a commisioner who's nickname is the Godfather?