If you’ve spent any time at a ballpark in Milwaukee or flipped through the history books of Major League Baseball, one name looms larger than almost any other. Bud Selig. He’s the guy who brought the Brewers to Wisconsin, the guy who ran the show for over two decades, and honestly, the guy who people still argue about over a cold beer. But lately, the question hasn’t been about the designated hitter or the wild card. It’s simpler. How old is Bud Selig?
As of right now, in early 2026, Bud Selig is 91 years old.
He’ll be hitting another big milestone later this summer. Born on July 30, 1934, he’s set to turn 92 in July of 2026. For a guy who spent the better part of his life in the high-stress pressure cooker of professional sports, he’s still remarkably active. You’ll still catch him talking shop about the game he loves, usually with that same Milwaukee grit he’s had since the 1950s.
The Milwaukee Roots That Never Faded
People often forget that before he was the Commissioner, Bud was just a kid from Milwaukee who really, really wanted a team to call his own. He grew up in the Jewish neighborhood on 52nd Street. His parents, Ben and Marie, were immigrants from Romania and Ukraine. They didn’t come from money; Ben sold cars.
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Bud followed in those footsteps, sort of. After a stint in the military and graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1956—shout out to the history majors—he went into the car business with his dad. But his heart was always at the diamond.
When the Braves left Milwaukee for Atlanta in the mid-60s, it broke his heart. It also made him obsessed. He fought for over five years to bring baseball back. He finally did it in 1970, buying the Seattle Pilots out of bankruptcy and turning them into the Brewers. He was only 35 at the time. Think about that. Most guys that age are just trying to figure out their career; Bud was reviving a city’s sports soul.
Why 91 Years of Bud Selig Matters to Baseball
You can't talk about how old Bud Selig is without talking about what he did with all those years. His tenure as the ninth Commissioner of Baseball (1992–2015) was, to put it mildly, chaotic.
He took over during a mess. The 1994 strike? That happened on his watch. No World Series. It was a dark time for fans. But then came the recovery.
- Interleague Play: Remember when the Cubs playing the White Sox in the regular season was a crazy idea? That was Bud.
- The Wild Card: He fundamentally changed how we watch October baseball.
- Revenue Sharing: He forced the big-market teams to help out the small-market ones, a move that still defines the league's economy today.
- The Steroid Era: This is the big "but" in his legacy. He presided over the home run explosion of the late 90s, but he also had to navigate the fallout of the Mitchell Report.
Even at 91, he doesn't shy away from these topics. He’s currently the Commissioner Emeritus, which is a fancy way of saying he’s a senior advisor who still has a desk and a lot of opinions. He’s been spending his 90s teaching at Marquette University Law School and the University of Wisconsin. Imagine walking into a "Baseball in American Society" class and the guy who actually ran the league for 22 years is standing at the podium. Kinda wild.
Bud Selig’s Current Life in 2026
Honestly, the guy is a machine. While most people in their 90s are slowing down, Selig is still making headlines. Just recently, in late 2025 and heading into 2026, he’s been vocal about the looming labor uncertainty in MLB. The current collective bargaining agreement is looking like it might be a headache at the end of the year, and Bud—ever the peacemaker (eventually)—has been telling both sides they need to be "careful."
He still lives in Milwaukee. He still watches the Brewers like a hawk. He’s also a great-grandfather now.
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A Quick Timeline of a Long Life
- 1934: Born in Milwaukee (July 30).
- 1956: Graduates from UW-Madison.
- 1970: Buys the Seattle Pilots, creates the Milwaukee Brewers.
- 1992: Becomes Acting Commissioner of MLB.
- 1998: Officially named the 9th Commissioner.
- 2015: Retires from the commissioner's office.
- 2017: Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
- 2026: Celebrates his 91st year (turning 92 in July).
It’s easy to look at a 91-year-old and see a "historic figure," but for Bud, it’s all very present. He’s still writing, still lecturing, and still worried about the "economic imbalance" of the sport. He mentioned in a 2025 interview with Front Office Sports that the money divide in baseball hasn't really changed since he left. He’s a realist, if nothing else.
What You Can Learn From the Selig Legacy
If you're looking for the "so what" of this story, it's about longevity and adaptation. Bud Selig didn't just survive in a cutthroat industry; he shaped it. Whether you love his decisions or still haven't forgiven him for the '94 strike, you have to respect the staying power.
If you want to dive deeper into his world, here are a few things you can actually do:
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- Read his memoir: It’s called For the Good of the Game. It’s a bit defensive at times, but it gives you a real look at the backroom deals that made modern baseball what it is.
- Visit the "Selig Experience" at American Family Field: If you're ever in Milwaukee, there’s a whole exhibit dedicated to his quest to bring the team back. It’s surprisingly emotional.
- Watch the World Baseball Classic: That was his "baby." Every time you see a high-stakes international game, that’s a direct result of Bud’s push for globalizing the sport.
At 91, Bud Selig is more than just a birthdate on a Wikipedia page. He’s a living bridge between the old-school era of car dealerships and handshake deals and the multi-billion dollar tech giant that is MLB today.
Keep an eye out for his 92nd birthday this July. Knowing him, he'll probably celebrate by watching a day game and taking notes on how to improve the pace of play. Some things never change.