Given that MLB is still trying to seal the deal on the new, $535 million stadium, and, conseqently, finalize the $450 million sale of the Washington Nationals to a new owner, DCist is nothing but surprised at how badly the league’s strategic planners and negotiators have approached their dealings with the city. We recognize that MLB is a government-sanctioned monopoly and can act pretty much as it wishes, but can’t they try and sell themselves a little better?

MLB didn’t do itself much good late last year when chief negotiator Jerry Reinsdorf all but closed off the possibility of the league kicking in some scratch for the stadium’s construction, stating, “Two-thirds/one-third is fine. But three-thirds/no-thirds is more of what we had in mind.” This refusal to offer the city concessions has continued to this day, most recently angering Council-member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), a longtime basball booster who demanded that the league either pony up $6 million in annual rent payments or pack up and leave town. NBC 4’s Tom Sherwood may have said it best when, in reference to Evans’ apparent threat, he wrote that “baseball bean[ed] its best batter.” Recently, MLB has only added to the list of its critics by delaying the sale of team (again) and, most recently, asking that season ticket-holders pay in full by December 14, far sooner than most expected or would want.

Residents hate MLB, members of the council hate MLB, even the ticket-holders hate MLB. Seriously, are Bug Selig — baseball commissioner — and company trying to make enemies as they go along? Should they seriously consider hiring themselves a capable PR firm?