Commissioner Bud Selig hits a financial home run

MILWAUKEE — As commissioner, Bud Selig has presided over impressive revenues and attendance.

That helps explain why his compensation increased 22 percent to $18.35 million as of Oct. 31, 2007. The figures, first reported by SportsBusiness Journal, were included in federal tax documents examined by the trade magazine.

The amount Selig, 74, made covers the last full year of work before he agreed to a three-year contract extension in January 2008 that will keep him as commissioner through 2012.

According to the magazine, Selig's compensation includes $17.47 million in base compensation, $461,540 in contributions to employee benefit plans, and $422,590 in expense accounts and other allowances.

A Major League Baseball spokesman did not return a call seeking comment. According to SportsBusiness Journal, a mere seven major-league players will earn more this year than Selig's compensation of two years ago.

Baseball produced an estimated $6.5 billion in revenue in the last fiscal year. Last season, 78,624,324 fans flocked to ballparks, the second-highest turnout in history.

Selig's pay is likely higher than the other major sports commissioners.

Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner, earns at least $11.2 million, according to recent media reports. NBA commissioner David Stern is believed to earn at least $10 million a year. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was earning approximately $6 million in 2006, according to reports.

Pitcher Perez

to return to Mets

NEW YORK — Oliver Perez agreed to return to the New York Mets for three years and $36 million, according to a source. The contract will be announced once Perez, 27, passes a physical.

Left-hander Perez went 10-7 with a 4.22 earned-run average last year.

Notes

• Scientific tests have linked Roger Clemens' DNA to blood in syringes that former personal trainer Brian McNamee says he used to inject the seven-time Cy Young Award winner with performance-enhancing drugs, two sources familiar with the investigation told The Washington Post.

• The Los Angeles Dodgers' negotiations with outfielder Manny Ramirez have moved into a new phase. Ramirez, 36, was offered a one-year contract worth $25 million, a source told the Los Angeles Times. In November, the Dodgers made a two-year, $45 million offer.

• First baseman Casey Kotchman, 25, and Atlanta avoided salary arbitration with a one-year contract worth $2.885 million.

• The Chicago Cubs traded one-time playoff starter Rich Hill, 28, to Baltimore for a player to be named.

The Cubs also made a deal with Oakland, sending reliever Michael Wuertz, 30, to the Athletics for two minor-leaguers — outfielder Richie Robnett, 25, and infielder Justin Sellers, 23.

• Texas coach Augie Garrido, who has an NCAA Division I record 1,629 career victories, has pleaded guilty to driving under the influence. He will be sentenced April 30.

After the hearing, Garrido, 69, said it was important to be accountable and get the guilty plea behind him. He was arrested Jan. 17 in Austin and was suspended for the first four games of the season.