Applying the same criteria in which Major League Baseball (MLB) stepped in to take over the operation of the Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB decided it needed to rescue the State of California from a similar crisis, baseball commissioner Bud Selig announced in a statement.
“Like the Dodgers, the state of California is on shaky financial grounds and there is a question of who is in charge.” Selig said. “Under these same circumstances that forced us to rescue the Dodgers, we decided to step in and help California.”
Selig explained that, like the Dodgers, the state has borrowed to meet its payroll and is potentially facing the need to use IOUs to pay its obligations as it has done in the past. “We could not stand by and watch that happen again,” he said.
Selig noted other similarities between the Dodger situation and the woes of the state.
Pointing to safety concerns faced by fans at Dodger Stadium and the need for beefed up security, Selig said he is similarly concerned with the safety of California residents after hearing Governor Jerry Brown say there could be layoffs of police officers if the budget is not resolved.
Talent could be leaving the team because of the climate of uncertainty surrounding the team, said Selig, just as talent in the form of businesses are leaving California because of the poor business climate.
But the commissioner said the big issue that must be resolved with both the Dodgers and California is to answer the question: Who’s in charge?
As Frank and Jamie McCourt battle over who owns the team in divorce court, Selig said he sees the same bitterness between the two major state political parties in the dispute over who’s in charge of running California.
“I know the Democrats claim majority interest in running California, but the Republicans are claiming they have an interest as well,” said Selig. “While they’re constantly fighting over this, the state is sinking. California was once the proudest, greatest franchise in the league … excuse me … states in the nation. It is doubtful if the state can still claim that status. Major League Baseball is here to hit a home run for both the Dodgers and California. Let’s get to work, or should I say, Batter Up!”