Bavasi Says Padres Were Used As Bribe

SAN DIEGO -- Baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn played a big part in swaying National League club owners to move the San Diego Padres franchise to Washington, D.C., says Padres' president Buzzie Bavasi. Bavasi said yesterday that Kuhn's appearance before the owners in Houston last week strongly influenced the vote that approved the $12-million sale to a Washington group. Another group wanted to keep the Padres here.

"He stressed that baseball would need the goodwill of Congress in holding off antitrust legislation and in dealing with the energy crisis," Bavasi said. "Those are real concerns to everybody and I'm sure he had an effect." After Kuhn spoke, Bavasi said, "I accused him of wanting to use my ball club to bribe the government." He said the commissioner replied, with a laugh, "You might say that." Bavasi repeated that he will not accompany the team to Washington. He also said he doesn't think San Diego will get a new franchise when the major leagues expand again.

[source: ap]