Who's Your Buddy? Who's Your Pal?

My friend Mike sent me this story (before ESPN posted it so I'm giving him the credit):

MINNEAPOLIS -- Baseball commissioner Bud Selig thanks Minnesota "for your patience and enthusiasm'' in a full-page advertisement printed Sunday in both of the Twins Cities daily newspapers.

The advertisement printed in the St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Star Tribune of Minneapolis includes a color photograph of the Minnesota Twins as the 2002 American League Central Division Champions.

Underneath the picture, it states:

"Thank you, Minnesota, for your patience and enthusiasm ... and Congratulations Twins, for a most memorable season! We look forward to building our future ... together.''

It was signed "Allan H. 'Bud' Selig, Commissioner of Baseball.''

Selig failed to eliminate the Twins and Montreal Expos last offseason after baseball's contraction plans were blocked by the Minnesota courts. Baseball later agreed in its new labor deal not to eliminate teams until 2007 at the earliest.

In Minnesota, Selig was perceived as trying to help Twins owner Carl Pohlad, a close friend, get a better price in contraction that he would in a sale. Selig has denied the accusations.

Earlier this month, Selig came to the Metrodome to watch the Minnesota Twins in the opener of the ALCS. The Twins lost the series to Anaheim.

First, what a venal attempt to ingratiate himself with the Twins' fans. Second, after ignoring that community for years, at least he is acknowledging their-current and future-existence.