(ADDING GASTON QUOTE)

*Jays' Beeston steps down, becomes COO of Major League Baseball*
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Paul Beeston, the first employee of the Toronto Blue Jays,
stepped down as president and chief executive officer of the
American League team today to become chief operating officer of
Major League Baseball. 

The move of Beeston from Toronto to the Commissioner's Office in
New York fuels speculation that acting commissioner Bud Selig, a
close friend of Beeston's, will agree to take over the job as a
permanent basis. 

"It's been 22 great years, and I have been the most fortunate
person in the world to have worked for such a great
organization," Beeston said. "It is with mixed emotions that I
leave, but now I have an opportunity to embrace new challenges
and to try to give something back to the game that has been so
good to me." 

Beeston will report to Selig and be responsible for all phases
of the central offices in New York, except the American and
National Leagues.  His role will be similar to that of deputy
commissioner, last held by Steve Greenberg, who stepped down in
1993, seven months after the forced resignation of commissioner
Fay Vincent. 

"Major League Baseball is delighted that Paul has accepted this
important position," Selig said. "He is extremely knowledgeable
about the business side of baseball and has had many years of
experience in running a club. He has excellent personal
relationships with just about everyone in the game and is
recongnized for being an outstanding executive as well as for
his abilities of persuasion and compromise." 

An owner's search committee supposedly has been working on
finding a new commissioner, but the belief is that Selig is the
choice of most owners. 

While Selig has hinted that he does not wish to be commissioner,
he has never flat-out rejected the idea.  NL president Leonard
Coleman and Beeston himself have been mentioned as candidates
for commissioner. 

The 52-year-old Beeston, who was considered for the job of
permanent commissioner in 1992, is well-liked not only by the
owners but also by the Players Association. 

"It's going to be sad to see him leave," Blue Jays manager Cito
Gaston said. "We all will certainly miss him, he's not only been
a great guy to work with, he's also a good friend." 

Beeston was the first employee of the Blue Jays, hired in 1976
when Labatt's, a Canadian beer company, owned the team.  The
Blue Jays are in the process of beind sold from Interbrew S.A.,
a Belgian brewer, to a Toronto group headed by real estate
developer Murray Frum. 

Beeston will continue to assist the team until the conclusion of
the 1997 season.  Day-to-day operations of the Blue Jays will
continue under general manager Gord Ash and vice president of
business Bob Nicholson. 

"We are sorry to see Paul leave after such an impressive career
with the Blue Jays," said Blue Jays Chairman Samuel Pollock.
"Through the years, we have built one of the premier franchises
in professional sports. Paul's able stewardship, along with his
wit and good humor, will be missed." 

A native of Ontario, Beeston was with the accounting firm of
Coopers & Lybrand before joining the Blue Jays. He was named
vice president of business operations in 1977 and was promoted
to executive vice president of business in 1984. 

Beeston was appointed president and chief operating officer in
1989.  During his tenure, the Blue Jays won World Series titles
in 1992 and 1993. 

The hiring of Beeston will mark the end of Greg Murphy's tenure
as head of Major League Baseball Enterprises.  Several owners
have been critical of the sponsorship deals signed by Murphy,
including a multi-million dollar deal with Nike that was voided.