MLB owners begin meetings to elect next commissioner

BALTIMORE — Major League Baseball owners have begun two days of meetings that could lead to the election of Commissioner Bud Selig’s successor.

MLB Chief Operating Officer Rob Manfred, Boston Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner and MLB Executive Vice President of Business Tim Brosnan were picked by the seven-man succession committee as candidates and were slated to make presentations Wednesday to the delegations from the 30 teams.

Selig has ruled baseball since September 1992, first as chairman of baseball’s executive council and since July 1998 as commissioner. He announced last fall that he plans to retire in January 2015.

Balloting is planned for Thursday and a three-quarters majority — 23 — is needed for election. Owners have estimated Manfred has the support of 20-21 teams headed into the meetings.