Fay Vincent Speaks at IOP

Former Major League Baseball Commissioner Francis T. "Fay" Vincent Jr. discussed some of the most pressing issues facing America's favorite pastime before a packed audience at the Institute of Politics last night.

In his hour-long talk entitled, "Baseball and Public Policy," Vincent addressed the movement in Congress to revoke Major League Baseball's immunity from anti-trust regulations, saying the privilege should only be repealed if the league is abusing its monopoly status.

"If the game accepts that it's subject to public trust and public duty, then it should stand," he said. "Baseball should retain its immunity if it deserves it."

Vincent said many team owners believe business will not be affected if the immunity is revoked. He added that he would be "sad" to see the exemption revoked. "If that makes me the last of the romantics, so be it," he said.

Vincent also spoke about his efforts as commissioner to have the licenses revoked which allow cable television "super stations" to broadcast games nationally without paying royalties to Major League Baseball.

These regulations allow stations such as TBS and WGN to broadcast games without Major League Baseball's consent. Vincent claimed such stations rake in nearly $100 million and reduce the monetary value of other baseball programming.

Vincent's attempts were met with disapproval from Ted Turner, the owner of the Atlanta Braves and TBS, and the Chicago Tribune Co., owner of the Chicago Cubs and WGN.

Vincent suggested that the issue contributed tohis downfall. After a three-year stint ascommissioner, he resigned last September after avote of no-confidence from the league's teamowners.

Vincent concluded his address by saying thatbaseball's primary responsibility should be to itsfans.

"The fans own baseball, and there's a properduty to those fans," he said.

He pointed to former Red Sox great Ted Williamsas an example of the attitude professionalbaseball should take toward its fans.

In 1941, Williams put his .400 batting averagein jeopardy by playing in an otherwise meaninglessdoubleheader on the last day of the season,Vincent said. Williams later said he "owed it tothe fans" to play.

"I could tell stories all night," said Vincentat one point. "But this is Harvard. We have totalk about compulsion licenses.

Vincent suggested that the issue contributed tohis downfall. After a three-year stint ascommissioner, he resigned last September after avote of no-confidence from the league's teamowners.

Vincent concluded his address by saying thatbaseball's primary responsibility should be to itsfans.

"The fans own baseball, and there's a properduty to those fans," he said.

He pointed to former Red Sox great Ted Williamsas an example of the attitude professionalbaseball should take toward its fans.

In 1941, Williams put his .400 batting averagein jeopardy by playing in an otherwise meaninglessdoubleheader on the last day of the season,Vincent said. Williams later said he "owed it tothe fans" to play.

"I could tell stories all night," said Vincentat one point. "But this is Harvard. We have totalk about compulsion licenses.