Michael S. Weiner, Class of 1983

2013 ConvocationThe smartest guy I ever met . . . the nicest guy I ever met . . . a genius at explaining complicated things . . . always constructive and respectful . . . the best thing that ever happened to this game: these are among the accolades you have inspired as leader of the most powerful union in professional sports. Remarkably, they have come not only from players but also from managers and even executives. No Pullman Company president ever called A. Philip Randolph the best thing that ever happened to the railroads. By nights and weekends a devoted family man, Springsteen fan, Little League coach, and synagogue Sunday school teacher, you have by day transformed the most visibly contentious labor-management relations in sports into a model of shared purpose, and in so doing have enabled Major League Baseball to address some of its most intractable challenges. The admiration that this work inspired has now been deepened by the uncommon grace and courage that you have shown since life has thrown you such an unexpected curveball. But whenever the twenty-seventh out ultimately comes for you, we hope long from today, it is clear that you will leave the game much stronger than you found it.