Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 21, 1994 TAG: 9401210208
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
Bill White plans to resign as National League president, baseball officials said Thursday, and Northwestern University President Arnold Weber withdrew his name from consideration as commissioner.
White, who took over from A. Bartlett Giamatti on April 1, 1989, is the highest-ranking African-American official in pro sports.
He has been unhappy with his job for several years. Although his term was to end nearly 11 months ago, he grudgingly agreed to stay until a successor was found.
White, reached at his home Thursday night, wouldn't say if his departure was imminent and refused to elaborate.
"I resigned on March 31, 1993," he said, a reference to the original expiration date of his term.
Officials, speaking of the condition they not be identified, said White was angered that the power of league presidents was greatly reduced under the restructuring report adopted Wednesday.
Instead of being solely responsible to owners in their leagues, league presidents will be responsible to the commissioner, who will have the power to hire them. White's attempt to eliminate these changes was defeated Wednesday.
Weber, a 64-year-old economist, withdrew in a three-sentence statement.
"I will not pursue further my candidacy as commissioner of major-league baseball," he said. "I had been given assurances that the process would be brought to closure. Obviously, this was not the case."
Harvey Schiller, the U.S. Olympic Committee's executive director, told aides and friends he believed officials didn't act in good faith when they decided not to hire a commissioner before the season.
Schiller wouldn't say if he would allow himself to be considered for commissioner in the future.
by CNB