Former AL president buys into RiverDogs
The RiverDogs, whose ownership group includes actor Bill Murray, play in the South Atlantic League and are affiliated with the New York Yankees. When Budig was president of the AL from 1994-2000, he noted, he sometimes was on the receiving end of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner's barbs.
"We've become great friends," Budig said. "He knew of my interest in this. I talked to him."
The team drew 267,908 fans last season to Joseph P. Riley Park.
"No segment of organized baseball is more exciting than the Minor Leagues," Budig said.
Budig joined Mike Veeck and Marvin Goldklang as the RiverDogs' primary owners.
"We love his involvement from an historical perspective and his intimacy with the game," Veeck said. "He is well thought of in all levels of baseball, and Gene Budig is one of us."
Budig still serves as a senior adviser to Major League Baseball. A former university president/chancellor at Kansas, West Virginia and Illinois State, he's known for his calm demeanor.
So is there any chance he'll be calling the dugout when things don't go well on the field?
"Uh, no," he said. "I think we'll leave things to those in charge."