Bud Selig to formally announce his January 2015 retirement on Thursday

Could this be the retirement announcement that finally holds true?

By Nate A Sep 26, 2013, 2:16pm EDT

MLB commissioner Bud Selig is expected to formally announce Thursday that he will step down from his post in January 2015, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

If nothing changes in the next year-plus, his retirement would become effective Jan. 24, 2015.

This isn't the first time this year that word has surfaced of Selig potentially hanging up the towel when his current two-year contract comes to an end, but this will be the first official statement from the man himself.

Selig reneged on his promise to retire after his previous contract ran out, so its not unreasonable to be suspicious of any news in this regard. However, Selig reportedly turned down a five-year offer when he re-upped in January 2012, so there may be reason to believe him this time around.

Selig has held his position as commissioner since 1992. In that time, he's overseen some of the most drastic changes and biggest scandals in the league's history. Along with the introductions of the (first and second) Wild Card, interleague play, and the "this time it counts" All-Star Game, Selig has also dealt with (player and umpire) union strikes, the seemingly never-ending steroids issue and bajillion dollar TV deals, as well as unprecedented labor peace between the league and Players' Union following the '94 strike.

Selig has repeatedly endeared himself to ownership over the years, but has become a highly polarizing figure among fans.