[Bud Selig] is now under contract through Dec. 31, 2006. The vote of confidence--at a time when baseball faces legal hurdles over contraction, potentially combustible talks with the union on a new labor agreement and Congressional interest in removing the sport's antitrust exemption--was so preordained that baseball's official Web site had a story on it--complete with quotes from Selig and other owners--only 45 minutes after the meeting began and about two hours before it ended and Selig held a news conference to discuss it.

Although some owners have expressed concern recently regarding Selig's off-season strategy and leadership, baseball made sure reporters were treated to a show of support, with [George Steinbrenner], the New York Yankees' boss of bosses and baseball's senior owner now that Selig has his Milwaukee Brewers in trust, one of five to attend the news conference and speak glowingly about the commissioner.

[George Mitchell] has joined the [Tom Werner] group, as has Henry, although Selig insisted Henry does not have an agreement to sell the Marlins to [Jeff Loria] and baseball has no plan to operate the Expos in 2002 if contraction is delayed for a year and Loria does buy the Marlins.