NEW YORK -- Hall of Famer Frank Robinson was hired as baseball's dean of
discipline yesterday and will be responsible for deciding suspensions for
on-field conduct.
Robinson's hiring as vice president of on-field operations follows the abolition of the American and National league offices and the league presidents, who had handled discipline for more than a century.
Robinson, the only player to win Most Valuable Player awards in both leagues, had been a consultant to commissioner Bud Selig for special projects and head of the Arizona Fall League. Ex-Orioles star Robinson, who became baseball's first black manager when the Cleveland Indians hired him in 1975, turned down the change to become a coach for new Chicago Cubs manager Don Baylor.
"Frank Robinson is a baseball legend who brings invaluable experience -- both as a player and executive -- to the central officer," Selig said. "Frank knows and understands the game from every conceivable angle and is the perfect choice to handle player discipline and other on-field matters."
Robinson also will be in charge of speeding up games, policies on uniforms, and stadium configuration. He will report to Sandy Alderson, executive vice president of baseball operations in the commissioner's office.
In addition, Tim Brosnan was promoted to executive vice president of business, one of four executive VPs under Paul Beeston, baseball's president and chief operating officer. Brosnan had been senior vice president of domestic and international properties.
The other executive VPs are Bob DuPuy, who is baseball's top lawyer and Selig's closest confidante, and Rob Manfred, who is in charge of labor relations.
Baseball also promoted two minority executives, making Jimmie Lee Solomon senior vice president of baseball operations and Lou Melendez vice president of international baseball operations.
Robinson's hiring as vice president of on-field operations follows the abolition of the American and National league offices and the league presidents, who had handled discipline for more than a century.
Robinson, the only player to win Most Valuable Player awards in both leagues, had been a consultant to commissioner Bud Selig for special projects and head of the Arizona Fall League. Ex-Orioles star Robinson, who became baseball's first black manager when the Cleveland Indians hired him in 1975, turned down the change to become a coach for new Chicago Cubs manager Don Baylor.
"Frank Robinson is a baseball legend who brings invaluable experience -- both as a player and executive -- to the central officer," Selig said. "Frank knows and understands the game from every conceivable angle and is the perfect choice to handle player discipline and other on-field matters."
Robinson also will be in charge of speeding up games, policies on uniforms, and stadium configuration. He will report to Sandy Alderson, executive vice president of baseball operations in the commissioner's office.
In addition, Tim Brosnan was promoted to executive vice president of business, one of four executive VPs under Paul Beeston, baseball's president and chief operating officer. Brosnan had been senior vice president of domestic and international properties.
The other executive VPs are Bob DuPuy, who is baseball's top lawyer and Selig's closest confidante, and Rob Manfred, who is in charge of labor relations.
Baseball also promoted two minority executives, making Jimmie Lee Solomon senior vice president of baseball operations and Lou Melendez vice president of international baseball operations.
