MLB Hall of Famer: Bud Selig blocked me from buying A’s

Baseball Corridor of Famer Reggie Jackson needed to buy the Oakland Athletics practically 20 years in the past, however he says then-MLB commissioner Bud Selig bought in the best way. 

Showing on the “Howard Stern Present” on Wednesday, Jackson revealed his plans to purchase the A’s alongside a bunch of buyers, together with the founders of Microsoft, Invoice Gates and Paul Allen. Nonetheless, regardless of having greater than sufficient funding and providing $25 million greater than the best bid for the A’s, Jackson says he “completely believes” Selig blocked his try. 

“He stated, ‘Reggie, stick with me, I am going to information you thru, I am going to get this carried out for you, don’t fret about,'” Jackson said. “Then hastily, it got here out that the A’s had been bought to a man by the identify of Lew Wolff — Bud Selig’s faculty buddy.”

A heartbroken Jackson admitted to falling right into a six-month despair following the sale of the A’s. Jackson was so delay by how issues shook out that he threatened to sue baseball, confirming he nonetheless has the 100-page lawsuit crammed with proof, together with texts between himself and Selig. Nonetheless, Jackson by no means went by with the swimsuit, which he regrets. 

“I by no means filed it,” Jackson stated. “I bought scared away by some folks in baseball. They stated, ‘Reggie, the very first thing you may need to do is resign from baseball, from the Yankees, and also you in all probability will not get employed once more.” 

If what Jackson says is true, it has to infuriate an already beaten-down fan base in Oakland. Amid rumors that the A’s franchise could also be on the transfer, probably to Las Vegas, it is solely pure to invest on what may have been beneath an possession led by Jackson and the deep pockets of Gates and Allen. 

Sadly for Jackson and A’s followers, it wasn’t to be. Now, practically twenty years later, after calling Oakland residence since 1968, the A’s time there seems to be ending, and a Corridor of Fame commissioner could also be in charge.