Colin Powell as Commissioner of Baseball?

Jerry Crasnick looks at the field to replace Bud Selig when Selig finally steps down as Commissioner of Baseball. I think, however, that Crasnick misses a very viable option to replace Selig - Colin Powell. Here is something I wrote back in May of 2005:

If I were to try and crystal gaze I would say that this move by Powell and the Malek group [to buy the Washington Nationals] would be (if successful) not a further stepping stone to the Presidency but a possible stepping stone by Powell to eventually replace Bud Selig as Commissioner of Baseball. Powell is a guy used to dealing with strong personalities with conflicting and competing interests. Whether dealing with heads of State or with the Chiefs of Staff for the different branches of the US military - Powell has been known as a man who both gets things done and who also does so without ruffling any feathers. What better training could a man have for dealing with the Pohlads, Steinbrenners and Linders than dealing with the Chiracs, Arafats and Putins?

My gut tells me that Powell may not want the Presidency and that the negative campaigning is not something he would want to subject his wife or family to after all the years they sacrificed for him while he was moving from post to post in the military and in government service. Powell may want to collect on his long years of service and I frankly, don't blame him for doing so.

The job of Commissioner of Baseball would be a well paying gig for the baseball loving Powell that would entail relatively little heavy lifting in comparison to his former responsibilities.

What I said back then still stands today. Powell would be an excellent choice as the next Commissioner of Baseball and since Crasnick is just throwing names against the wall to see who sticks - I figured I'd throw Powell's name out there (again) as well. MLB is trying to become more global in its reach and who better to help navigate those waters than a former Secretary of State? Powell could also be the first black Commissioner of a major sport in the US and with the decline of African Americans playing baseball - hiring Powell would both be a great PR move but also a very symbolic choice in trying to stem the tide of inner-city youths NOT playing baseball.