Classic Baseball Union

February 1993 – After spending six weeks ignoring CBU, new-MLB commissioner Bud Selig, laughed when asked if he saw the CBU as a major player in the ranks of professional baseball.

There’s talent lying around the world, but they can’t compete with the money we’re generating. So they all decided to throw a bunch of money at it, pay ten years of expenses up front, and help fund some small portion of baseball programs. Major League Baseball is the top league in the world, this CBU has little to no chance of “Major League” success. We have a great model to grow our league and continue dominating the world of baseball. They might take away some of our low hanging fruit, but the fans pay to see Griffey, Bonds, and Puckett.

Selig was then asked about the pending strain of labor negotiations, and stated that “everything is under control”.

The CBU is gaining a certain amount of cult popularity. Many minor league free agent who have not touched MLB signed with the CBU over finding another MiLB team to propel them into the majors. The CBU has also begun collecting verbal and official commitments from amateur players in exchange for undisclosed terms. Commissioner JWay was available for comment on the state of the league and on Selig’s comments:

Bud Selig has tunnel vision. I don’t blame him, MLB seems to be very successful now. But the power of giving will win the hearts of American’s. The MLB owners and players are in a rat race for every dollar. The CBU is different. We’re all here in a collective effort to provide exciting baseball, and creating an entity that profits for all those involved and more. As for the CBU, many players are signed up for our inaugural placement draft. Each player recieved a signing bonus or promise of a contract of some sort. Many jumped ship for the opportunity. Our philanthropic attitude is always paying dividends as coaches and parents are encouraging their talented youngsters to bypass the MLB draft for the CBU amateur drafts. Our international academies have already signed talent eye’d by MLB teams. Initially we will be behind the MLB, and perhaps for quite some time. But we are committed to making this work and eventually winning over the “world”.

The CBU league office stated that it was holding tryouts and camps for players as they transition from their minor league deals into preparing for the CBU inaugural draft. Despite the lack of history or prestige, the CBU has been dominating the news, and so far seems incredibly relevant.