Major League Baseball’s owners have voted to extend the contract of commissioner Rob Manfred through the 2028 season, reports Evan Drellich of The Athletic. The four-year extension will run through Jan. 25, 2029. The league has since announced the extension via press release.
“It is an honor to serve the best game in the world and to continue the pursuit of strengthening our sport on and off the field,” Manfred said within today’s press release. “This season our players are displaying the most vibrant version of our game, and sports fans are responding in a manner that is great for Major League Baseball’s future. Together, all of us in the game will work toward presenting our sport at its finest and broadening its reach and impact for our loyal fans.”
A new contract for Manfred was seen as a foregone conclusion. Manfred was unanimously approved for a five-year extension when his contract was last up for vote, and he needed only a simple majority to be extended once again. He’s been the commissioner since 2014, when he succeeded the retiring Bud Selig.
“At a critical moment in the history of our game, Commissioner Manfred has listened to our fans and worked closely with our players to improve America’s pastime,” said Mariners chairman John Stanton, who also served as the chair for the meeting in which the vote was held. “Under his leadership, we have been responsive to the fans’ desire for more action and better pace, continued the game’s spirit of innovation, expanded MLB’s role in youth baseball and softball, and beyond. The significant momentum that MLB has built reflects his ongoing initiatives that are advancing the game.”
While Manfred is unpopular with a notable portion of the fanbase — many bristle at recent rule changes, expansion of the playoff format, the commissioner’s past comments calling the World Series trophy a “piece of metal,” etc. — the owners have good reason to extend his contract. Manfred has helmed negotiations of lucrative national television contracts with FOX, Turner Sports and ESPN, in addition to brokering highly profitable streaming deals with Apple and NBC Universal (Peacock). Heading into the 2022 season, Forbes reported that each MLB team was set to receive a hefty $65MM from those national television and streaming deals alone — before even considering gate revenue, local television deals, etc.
Manfred also navigated two of the most challenging period in recent MLB history, representing the owners’ interest along the way during return-to-play negotiations during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and during the recent wave of collective bargaining with the MLB Players Association.
The league implemented what ended up being a 99-day lockout following the 2021 season, but after months of negotiation with the MLBPA, the two sides wound up reaching an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement spanning the 2022-26 seasons. The eleventh-hour deal was reached in time for a full slate of 162 games to be played last year — this time with a newly expanded 12-team postseason format.
Broadly speaking, the business of baseball is as profitable as ever. Manfred told Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times last year that league revenues were approaching a record $11 billion for the 2022 season. It likely wasn’t coincidental that MLB took the time this morning to highlight how last night’s average MLB attendance was its best non-holiday performance on a Tuesday since 2015 and second-best since 2008. As the sport moves further and further from that shortened 2020 season that was played in the absence of fan attendance, ownership is clearly confident in Manfred’s ability to bring about further revenue growth.
That’s definitely a mistake, time to move on from this clown!
It’s only until 2029! What could possibly go wrong besides everything? That gives him so much time to think up exciting new rule changes!
Now he’s gonna have cart blanch to completely change the game of baseball. Gonna change the baseballs on a whim for whatever team pays him the most… oh wait that already happened
Worse, it gives him more time to hide more big games on channels fans can’t find — or worse, can only access via an additional subscription.
Selling out the game for a quick buck. Shame on Manfred.
Anyone who watched the MLB draft knows that Manfred is THE most disliked Commissioner of all time. Manfred knows it too, but he’s paid well to be the owners lackey.
Have you watched the NFL draft? Goddell is neck and neck with him on the Boo Meter as they both compete for “most entitled, mouth moving, bridge troll” award.
I’m going the other way. The new rules are successful, he guided MLB through COVID, the game is cleaned up, domestic violence is handled harshly, there is labor peace, All Star weekend and the draft are events now, he’s steering the league through the Diamond Sports fiasco, team values have never been higher, playoff expansion has let more teams compete, revenue is the highest ever and the game is extremely healthy. Also, life is short and just enjoy baseball!
You’re not going the other way; you are completely correct. I think just about everything that Manfred got involved is successful.
Just for fun, I’d like to see the haters tell us what he did to offend them.
Thanks Joe, couldn’t agree with you more. Why such animosity when the game we all love is doing so well?
Let’s see, off thr very top of my head. The Atlanta All-Star hypocrisy and how about the Astos and red Sox cheating scandals. Want more?
He handled the Atlanta ASG as any CEO should, and my gawd, when will people move past the cheating scandals? They were YEARS ago! The guy has been given a life sentence and no other value has been placed on his accomplishments.
Gambling. It puts every one connected in any way, shape or form in danger. The employees and their families, both physical and mental peril and exposure to risk.
JoeBrady — I like most of the new rules, anything that put more action into the game. But the ghost runner is an abomination as is a playoff field so watered down as to make a mockery of the first 162 games. Hate the HR Derby too. I know, bah humbug. But that’s how I feel.
Let’s see…. Got rid of several minor league teams and when the cities of those teams told tried to talk him out of it he was a total ass, now every minor league park has to have a net around the dugouts making it even harder for autos and since the take over the rumor is there won’t be anymore minor league card sets because all those guys “have to be paid” for havin their face on a card. These teams can’t afford… that. So yea womanfred is the worst.
This is beyond going the other way; this is salivating at his feet.
My second favorite commissioner of all time
The rest are tied for first?
lol
No A Bartlett Giamatti was my first
Sad news
A dark day for all of baseball.
Why wouldn’t they extend their loyal stooge, who says what they think so they can act like they weren’t thinking it?
Lame
Mixed bag. Love the new pitch clock and disengagement rules, but he badly screwed up the Astros sign stealing stuff and the A’s situation. Lot’s of drama out of the AL west now that I think of it haha. Our bad guys.
Lest not we forget about taking the All-Star Game out of ATL for an unknown amount of time. Did it have its intended affect?
Meh if he just ended the all-star game all together I would have applauded it, it’s a waste of time and a popularity contest.
Agreed.
I don’t mind the peacocking, as it appeals to a younger demo that the games needs to evolve, but for the love of everything holy — take the fan vote away. I really don’t care to see who casual fans want to stuff the ballot box for.
Acuña does’t need me creating 27 Yahoo email addresses to get him in anymore. I’ll send you the bill, Shy Ronnie.
I can’t remember the last time I voted for the Allstar ballot. Last person i remember was Josh Harrison when he was a pirate.
If they’re going to do it I say do it in the offseason so if there is an injury it doesn’t cut into the current season. Also make it mean nothing at all..
There used to be a TV show that would just do a HR derby with two players. I think it was weekly but I don’t recall, it was in the 60’s i think. They should start that up again during the season. Pick a city to be in that week and then pick two players that happen to be there. Basically a televised BP with a bit of competition. make a prize for a charity in that city.
as long as it isn’t the local little league. I don’t know about other regions by mine is Shady AF.
Acuna was probably trying to repair his fridge
you can watch those HR Derby shows from 1960 on youtube. lots of iconic names competing.
In regards to the all-star game, as one who lives in Cobb County it sure would’ve been beneficial to get that business boost after the shutdowns. Not that it was as bad here as most places but it was very bad for businesses everywhere. Not to mention other lost benefits relating to marketing.
But the plurality of the fans DO want to see these guys in the All-Star Game, hence why there’s a fan vote and why every team get a representative.
Yes, Manfred screwed up with Atlanta, but the All-Star Game is still a great exhibition game for the fans that most hardcore fans (including myself) also enjoy. It’s also still the best All-Star Game of any North American team sport.
Just be glad that the players are chosen more on merit than they used to be (back when the managers had sole discretion to pick everyone but the starting position players) and that it no longer has that ridiculous reward of deciding home field advantage in the World Series.
Meh, all I am saying is that if Manfred wanted to ditch the all star game and keep the WBC, I am all for it. Being the best all-star game is not saying much. I would prefer my team to get zero All-stars, and come out of the break rested and ready to go.
You’re in the very small minority, so it’s not going to happen.
Jose: The show was called “Home Run Derby” and it was filmed in the 1960s. It’s when player’s egos and wallets were too big to compete. Willy Mays and Hank Aaron took part in it. They also say with the show’s host and answered questions. The winner got $100 which they kept because it was pre-FA and they didn’t make a lot of money It was also a weekly series, not a one time thing. Nice to see players of that era again.
Lanidrac: The best players are not picked by the fans. The fans vote for their team’s players as many times as they can even if fans in Texas vote for Heim over Rutschman. They’re not going to vote for the best players at each position. They only vote for players on their team. That’s why bb has stepped in at times to add a player because they were left out by fan voting.
The WBC is far better than the all-star game, but if they had it every year it would lose some of it’s luster.
Shhh your speaking facts lol
I didn’t say they were. I said the fans pick who they want to see, which is what matters in a game for the fans.
Meanwhile, the pitchers and position player reserves are chosen mostly on merit now.
MLB has only stepped in once when it was extremely blatant that a single team had stuffed the ballot box and then took the fan vote away for a number of years before bringing it back. Otherwise, they leave it to the reserve picks to get the best guys in. The new optional Commissioner’s picks starting last year are basically lifetime achievement awards.
There’s also the 7 inning double headers and the ghost runner.
I hate the ghost runners… until it’s 11pm on a work night and then I’m good haha
@Chris hahah yeah thats what i said with the extra innings when the pirates play out west… boss quit asking me why i’m late durring baseball season
I hate both of those things.
Yeah, I hate 11PM on a work night especially when I’m working because I am making up the time for goofing off on MLBTR during the day.
Agree with you. HATE is too mild a word for the ghost runner! When did MLB turn into Little League?
@rct-Yeah that ghost runner? Just give the guy a double! Smh
I wouldn’t mind the ghost runner as long as it was a rule that the ghost runner had to be the slowest rostered player. Would love to see Vogelbach more screamin’ down the line for a W.
haha I am totally for this. bring back Bartolo
Vogelbach was fast in Milwaukee eyein the Sausage Race! Rumor has it that’s why he was traded to the Mets, to prevent him from devouring them! Now he’s the Mets team lead at the 4th of July hot dog eating contest at Nathan’s.
I’m not a fan of the ghost runner, but I think a way to make it more interesting would be to place runners on both first and second base with no outs. Instead of just giving an advantage to the team batting, it would create the situation where a team on defense could get a triple play. It would bring more strategy into the game.
You sure Coney Island had nothing to do with it?
I’d hate to be the third baseman who has Vogelbach running in his direction. Just when his lower body reached 3b and the rest of him three seconds later.
DFA Vogelbach – Bring back Cespedes!!!
#bringbackcespedes
*5
They’ve already dropped the 7-inning double headers. That was only a temporary rule that was needed for health reasons during the pandemic.
Yeah, the last ATL game I was able to attend was the ARZ/ATL double-header in ATL where MadBum threw a 7 IP no-hitter that didn’t count as a no-hitter, I think. Crazy.
Lanidrac: The problem is, the ghost runner hasn’t gone away with the pandemic It’not bb, it’s softball. What next? A short CFer?
It was definitely a no-hitter. If Manfred is going to put in his facockta “rules”, he’s gotta play fair no matter how much he’s against it.
Like most of Manfred’s new rules, the ghost runner is an idea which could’ve been executed a lot better (ie, 12 inning+) but wasn’t. That’s generally how I would sum up his tenure.
But even the good stuff was probably more Theo than Manfred.
All the beneficial rule changes that just happened are from Theo’s brain. Manfred is just the owners’ puppet. He’s a meat shield, nothing more.
I, for one, am not a fan of the ghost runner or the pitch clock. When clubs are charging so high for tickets that the game has become unaffordable for the average fan, I have no problem sitting at the ballpark for 3+ hours. Funny…I never hear anyone complaining when an NFL game goes 3 hours. Just my opinion.
The game is NOT unaffordable to the average fan if you simply go on the $5 (or close to it) ticket nights, and you can always choose not to buy concessions (or bring in your own food for cheap if the ballpark allows it). If anything, the advent of dynamic pricing has made certain games MORE affordable. Yes, it’s more like $15-$20 per person once you include ticket fees and transportation/parking, but that’s still perfectly affordable for the average fan.
Try getting a decent seat at Fenway Park-and not down near the foul pole in right field. You’ll pay through the nose.
The point is that you don’t have to choose a decent seat. A ballgame is still enjoyable from the nosebleed sections. I’ll admit to a caveat that many fans (including myself) don’t care for standing room tickets or sitting in bleachers, but there are still other tickets that are just as cheap.
Sorry, my mistake on the Red Sox. Looking at their website, their tickets are indeed ridiculously expensive for every game, especially when avoiding standing room and bleacher tickets, but they’re a rare exception.
No worries. The Red Sox have priced me out of going to games. I’m sure I’m not the only one.
I thought that I was going to feel that way. Then the season started and I love the pitch clock, it’s so great and makes the game stay on pace.
FatChance65: Ditto. Bb was the only major sport without a clock. You could spend the afternoon out in the sun watching a game. Now you hardly have time to go to the bathroom. You’d miss at least two innings. And how come no one’s bitching about those 3+ hour FB games? They should just keep a running clock. How would all the drunks who attend games feel about hardly getting a buzz on before they have to leave, throwing up in their cars instead of on the stadium floor?
This guy is not the answer! Only in it for himself!
Here it comes, more hate for the commissioner and love for the owners who employ him.
It isn’t an either-or issue. The commissioner is the owner’s mouthpiece. His only job is to make more money for them, which clearly, he does. They think he’s doing a great job, obviously.
No need to respond further if you can’t do it without being nasty. Thank you.
You should be careful who you eat your lunch with.
Its like the MLB owners want to lose money on purpose. This guy is the worst commisioner yet
Bring back Judge Landis!
I don’t like him either, but he’s been great for the owners. Record profits no doubt or else they would have voted him out. Because we all know that its always about the money!
They aren’t losing money though. Attendance is extremely high this season and the media contract is solid. Let’s see how the playoff ratings are but I imagine they’ll be solid.
Media contract is Solid? Manfraud is that you? Maybe you can explain how if it’s so solid that 5+ just had to scramble to get on TV? Well when the playoff money goes to Fox and not the actual TV stations that run them the entire season that explains their bankruptcy. This commissioner should be forever known as “The Greediest Commissioner Ever”. He has it down to a science when he is losing money and will do whatever it takes to stop that from happening. Maybe it was the huge raise he got from 110 minor league teams he single handily destroyed, alot of them wanting to remain. He destroyed a lot of small towns. He has destroyed baseball with all of his micro management for $$$$$ but yet we can’t get consistent umpiring. I’m sick and tired of watching strikes get called balls because when you look into the umpire’s facemask, the dude wasn’t even looking at the plate. Also, how about change up the start teams from day to day instead of trying to play every single team in one day. Acuna has more jerseys sold than any other player and last season MLB tried to get Atlanta to play EVERY SINGLE PLAYOFF GAME BEFORE 1PM. Those, are not playoff games. They did/tried an 11am start for one of them. As well, you have 2 options for actually watching your team at home during the season or the playoffs. Pay $120+ per month for basic cable now(sham) or don’t watch it at home. MLB doesn’t like to mention that if you live in Colorado and want to watch Colorado play through MLB TV, you can’t unless they are on the road. They will black out every single game from you when they are home. Pretty sad that here shortly people are going to start scrolling through Korean and Japanese teams to watch instead of MLB but here we are.
To add….Manfred should have sought two new expansion franchises immediately after shutting down 2020 spring training. Yes, Oakland and Tampa were an issue. New money would have also assisted the two clubs, albeit temporarily. It has now been 25 years.
It’s possible a commissioner with better baseball acumen and genuine love for the game makes the owners more money by providing a better game to watch. Hard to argue that point but it is possible.
Mr. Burns continues Smithers’s employment.
Insert gif here.
From Half Baked
Boooo this man@
Boo this man! BOO HIM!!!!!
I hate Manfred,man!
I think he was blinded by the light.
It’s a damn shame.
I would guess the Atlanta ownership was a no vote.
Beyond dirty what he did to the folks in Atlanta…
People complaining on this thread (or who are going to but haven’t yet) need to understand that Manfred doesn’t answer to fans or to players. He answers to the 30 owners and no one else.
Exactly. Delivering for the owners is his only job, which clearly he does or he’d be unemployed. The fan disconnect on this never fails to amaze me. Howl at the moon all you like, but the moon is never going to notice.
Howling and discussing the state of the game with other fans is still enjoyable in itself.
Sure, but don’t be howling at the wrong thing, is my point. No matter who is the commissioner, when he opens his mouth, the voice of the owners comes out. Always has, always will. Based on reading comments here I’d say not one in fifty fans gets this. So that’s what makes me howl.
he’s a perfect toadie for the owners and just as bad for the game as MLBPA shill Clark
He’s the perfect CEO for the owners because he makes them loads of money. And since that’s his actual job…
For 29 of the owners (minus Atlanta who he royaly jobbed over) I would agree. From a business perspective the pitch clock might have been a mistake. Don’t get me wrong, I love the shorter games I can get out of Petco and in bed long before I used to. But they are selling TV air time and they just cut about a half hour out of every game. The TV deals will take this into consideration on the next round of negotiations for the individual teams.
If the owners thought they’d be losing TV revenue they never would have made these changes. Fortunately for them, they’re still selling the same number of commercials.
Fans lose again :-/
Not a surprise that the owners love their little puppet. Too bad he sucks big time.
If he really wanted to speed up the games he’d grow some balls and add a dedicated new video replay umpire to each crew to actually be at the ballpark and in direct communication with the crew chief reviewing plays in real time instead of waiting for teams to see replays and then challenge, and then have to wait on the guys in New York to review the play. It would be as simple as him seeing a couple quick replays and be in their ear “hey you guys got that one wrong.”
Most reviews are much more complex than just “seeing a couple quick replays.” Yes, you’d save some time by not needing to involve a 3rd party in New York, but you’d more than give it back by needing to review every close play instead of the current system with limited challenges over the first 6 innings.
Oh WTF?! WHY?!!
He clears the way for the owners to make lots of money. Whatever tax breaks these guys get, should be eliminated.
Figures, money talking. Gotta be
Us fans are clearly not happy about it
Boooooo!!!!
As a fan, I dislike Manfred. A lot.
As an owner I would love him. He is increasing the value of the teams and the revenue of the sport.
this ^^^^^^^^
If the fans liked Rob Manfred, then Rob Manfred is not doing his job.
Sure, let’s give this idiot more time to ruin the game. Owners care less about the game than the bottom line. Stone Cold would agree
This should be announced at every game today right after the National Anthem. The reactions would be priceless – more booing than you’ve ever heard.
Enough booing to even make us Philly Pholks proud!
I vote Trea for commissioner! Can’t be any worse in that job then as a SS!
Talk about someone who needs to get going!
Woo Hoo!
Did any owner(s) vote against him, or was it unanimous?
We will never know the true answer that questions.
Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun.
Boo this man
Manfred is a tool
Can’t blame the owners, the amount of money this guy has weaseled out of county governments (that could have paid for parks and community services but instead was used to upgrade facilities) is astronomical.
Everyone’s prayers have been answered!
Never been a commissioner loved by fans. Any of the pro sports. Lol
This thread reminds me how little fans understand Manfred’s role.
Disagree. I think fans know that’s his job, but they don’t have to like it.
As a fan, I dislike the man greatly. I find him to have no interest in the history of the sport nor does he have any interest in what’s best for fans.
On the other hand, as much as I do dislike him, I also see why the owners love him. Ultimately, that is his job and responsibility. However, how much of this has pushed the die-hard fans away? Any business owner knows the 85/15 rule and Manfred seems to ignore it.
I just got back from a trip to TB and MIA and I have to tell you, I’m sick of $15 beers, $50 parking, $12 peanuts all while having to watch teh game through a net becuase people can’t be held personally responsible for not paying attention. I can hardly afford to even go to a game any longer. THis is not including mu own feeling on the direction o0f the game itself within the current climate in America.
Eventually, I won’t be able to and I’ll tuneout. I think many fans manifest this as Rob Manfred’s doing. While he’s not fully to blame, he’s definitely part of it..
Excellent points, “Woods” and when you respond logically, you get mostly c r i c k e t s. Any perceived “success” by Manfred is short term and relative. Most corporate decisions have a lag time in years before the actual result is realized; it’s absurd to claim “success”, simply because the tsunami is nowhere to be seen or heard; it’s out to sea and on the way in probably after Manfred is gone.
If Manfred would have walked away and a new Commish was elected, not a thing would change. The Commissioner is paid for by the owners and the new boss would be the same as the old boss………Same as it ever was…..same as it ever was…………
Now I have The Who and The Talking Heads on a loop in my brain…………Hate when I do it to myself………..
The majority of hatred comes from people who don’t like change. Times change and things change.
Bingo.
The majority of the hatred comes from people who do not like change. Change can be good. Times and things change.
I think it is more that some folks are just inclined to be anti-authoritarian. The same people that dislike Manfred probably also dislike every commissioner.
IMHO, the changes have been mostly very good. I didn’t like the ghost runner initially, but find it reasonable now. I didn’t like the 2-throw limit, but the SB affect hasn’t really been that much. SB/CS% has increased from 76% to 80%. I love the clock.
Yep. That too. The man has no chance of being respected by fans. I’m sure the 25-30m a year makes it all worthwhile.
I like the idea of the GR pushing teams to a more NL style of small ball that is sorely missed (IMO) in today’s game. I get trying to shorten the game up, but Teams can play small ball earlier in the game to push runs across.
I certainly do not agree with it in any form in a postseason game.
I initally LOVED the idea of the pitch clock. I still like it, but I think it’s a tad too short. I think if MLB added just 3 extra seconds to it, it would appease both hitter and pitcher and would not add much more to the game.
One change I really do like that has helped offset the lost strategy now with the Dh in the NL is the 3 batter minimum rule. I thought I would hate that one, but that DOES add strategy to the game, AND speeds it up so managers can’t change pitchers every otehr hitter.
*sigh* … was hoping Manfred would be moved to another sport before the trade deadline.
Good. He makes them money and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.
A collective groan was had by all…
Mannfred is incompetent
I personally don’t like how he has changed the great game of baseball. The game didn’t need any changes, only the people in charge of keeping the integrity of the game which he has failed.
maybe by then, he’ll have totally ruined baseball. I’ll bet we’ll be watching ghost runners, burn outs will be legal. why even have a pitcher, let’s do pitching machines to speed up the game. F rob braindead
The commenters here don’t seem to understand what the commissioners job is, and instead are choosing to judge and criticize based on what you think the commissioners job should be.
The commissioner works for the owners, and implements their agenda. This is similar to the president and congress in the USA. Congress sets the rules and the president enacts them.
If you’re pissed about the direction of the league, blame the owners and to a lesser extent the players Union.
Changing the commissioner has no effect on the direction of the league.
Please educate yourselves before commenting.
Perhaps you shoulld read teh comments before commenting. Many fans on here, like myself, understand totally what Manfred’s job is. That does not mean that it has to be liked.
Yes, you want to change things, turn the games off, stop going, stop buying merch, and cancel your media subscriptions that offer MLB/MLBPA products and services.
However, blanket asking people to educate themselves (when so many commenters have already proven that they fully understand Manfred’s role) is very condescending on your part and that is a trait you share with Manfred that people also do not like. Especially those in Oakland.
@highwway…Your statement is absurd; Commenters here do indeed understand what his job is and that he represents the owners interest and changing the Commissioner WOULD have an effect, if the owners appointed smeone who had the interests of the customer in mind, as well as the owner. It’s even more absurd to compare the Commissioner’s function with the legislative process. if that was the case, the fans would actually have a significant role in the process.
Boooooooooooooo urns
Boooooooooooooo urns
Is what everyone in the MLB circle is saying. But they can’t be overly critical without repercussions
Manfred is a compliant little puppet &; the owners obviously believe all other options would not be so..willing to take a continuous knee…
Ownership is not in the least bit concerned with Manfred’s or their popularity. as it’s not a deal breaker.
Sponsorships, funding &; continued exploitation of the game by Degenerate gambling &; gaming interests have been an income / profit gawd-send for MLB, NFL NCAA, Pro Soccer & other pro sports entities globally.. Throw in the gun to the head exploitation of cities, &; states for new venues &; commercial infrastructure,& the reality is MLB has it made in the shade…..and bidness is good..
The next step for Manfred &; the current owners will be to prepare the LZ for a major influx of Private Equity money & partnerships which will accelerate radical change & reconfiguration to the game, traditions & culture which was once Major League Baseball.
Further proof the owners don’t give a damn about baseball.
After all the countless boos he received during the draft I figured it was time for a new face. Smh
I’m just here to read W men complaining about another W man . Like it makes a difference . I’m happy he ushered my A’s finally out of Oakland . Now let’s get them fully moved to Sacramento for the 2024 – opening of the Vegas A’s . . I’m fine with everything except for pitch clock .
Dude is the proverbial death-merchant of this game we all know and (used to) love. CLOWN!
Pitch clock? Excellent.
Domestic violence and PED enforcement? Good.
Readying the robo-ump? Good.
Ghost runner? Bad.
Taking the all-star game out of Atlanta to serve a political agenda?
Unforgivable.
So you think it should be harder for people to vote? Move to Russia, you pinko.
It’s time for Manfred to finally get rid of the stupid ghost runner rule in extra innings. Now that they shortened the game with the pitch clock, there’s no need for the ghost runner rule. It was meant to shorten the game and the pitch clock was the far better implementation. No need to double whammy it.
-Move the ghost runner to the 12th inning and beyond
-Change the 3-batter rule to allow one reliever per game to be an exception.
-Allow the shift to be employed against 3 hitters in every game.
-The pitch clock shouldn’t apply to pitchers who naturally work at a faster pace; who cares if they take a little more time on individual pitches if their overall body of work would be quick enough?
The problem is Manfred doesn’t do nuance because he doesn’t truly care about the game. He’s all about the money. So while I can appreciate some of the basic changes he’s made as being necessary with the goal of speeding up the game, there was a way to implement all of them in much better forms to the benefit of both the game as well as the intended goal. But fat chance we’ll ever see them implemented. Strategy and nuance are meaningless terms in his world.