In one of the more ridiculous pieces of baseball news I’ve seen in recent weeks, CNNSI.com reported via the Sports Business Journal’s original piece that MLB Commissioner Bud Selig received nearly $17.5 million in compensation for the 12 months ended October 31, 2007.

That represented a $3 million raise from the previous year, according to information both publications sourced to Major League Baseball’s tax return and it means that he was more highly paid than all but three players (all Yankees – A-Rod, Jeter and Giambi) during that timespan, according to the report.

Shockingly, Selig has been baseball’s commissioner since September 1992 – when I was but a junior in high school.

Let’s recount some of the “accomplishments” that have taken place during Selig’s tenure that have led to him achieving this stunning level of compensation. During that time baseball’s salaries have exploded out of control, especially on the east coast, leaving a good chunk of the league unable to compete on a regular basis while at the time staying financially responsible and solvent.

Selig oversaw the steroid era. In fairness, he’s taken several steps to strengthen the league’s drug policies the past few years, but it took putting his head in the sand to not see the controversy coming in the first place.

He was the commissioner when the World Series, which had survived world wars, depressions and other calamities, was canceled for a player’s strike.

He, with the assistance of a couple owners, tried to contract the Montreal Expos and Minnesota Twins as part of attendance, revenue and ballpark issues.

And, following the ridiculous tie in the 2002 All-Star game, Selig made the even more ridiculous decision to tie homefield advantage in the World Series every year to an All-Star game made up of teams required to field players from every team no matter how good or bad. So, a 100-win team takes on an 85-win team but the 85-win team gets four home games because Nate McLouth from the perennially 100-loss Pirates knocks in a run off of J.J. Putz of the 110 loss Mariners?

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. Great solution.

In some less dramatic but also controversial moves, Selig also oversaw the beginning of interleague play and the adding of another division to each league, adding a wild card – and as such, another round to the playoffs. My preference would have been leaving well enough alone on both – some will use one or both of these to defend Selig, which is reasonable.

And finally, while the National Football League had already eclipsed baseball in popularity, Selig at least helped oversee the league as it slipped to third behind the National Basketball Association on people’s collective radar screens – a pathetic fall for what once was the undisputed National Pasttime.

Again, in fairness to Selig, the league’s revenues and attendance have never been higher. Some think he is the best commissioner baseball has ever had. Others believe he has been a puppet for the other franchise owners. What are your thoughts?

Hmm. According to the Sports Business Journal report, Major League Baseball might be skirting some salary disclosure rules by not including the amounts paid to several officers, directors and trustees, for the second year in a row.

$17 million a year for this resume, eh? Where do I sign up?