Derby List Last 200 Messages

[bobshoop--- via Derby]

The current mess re. Baffert just shows that it's long past time for a National Horse Racing Commissioner with powers such as the Commissioners of MLB, NFL, NHL, & NBA have. To remind of some history-- there had many scandals re. baseball players throwing games throughout the 19th century. But when MLB was created in 1903 by the joinder of the National and American leagues, there was a commission governing baseball. Then came the 1919 World Series, when 7 of the Chicago White Sox baseball team players conspired to throw the World Series (an 8th player knew of the conspiracy but didn't tell anyone about it.) When the the scandal finally broke in 1920, baseball realized something had to be done. The governing commission dissolved and the owners created the position of Commissioner of Baseball--which continues today. The 1st Baseball Commissioner, former Federal judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, suspended all 8 White Sox players (called today the "Black Sox") for life. That action, plus the emergence of Babe Ruth as a gate attraction, saved MLB. When the NFL, NHL, & NBA were created, they followed MLB's precedent & created commissioners for their various sports.
Horse Racing needs someone like Landis to get hold of the issues facing horse racing & clean this sport up.
Robert ShoopAuthor,  Down to the Wire: The Lives of the Triple Crown ChampionsColorado Springs, Colorado

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