On August 14, 2014, Rob D. Manfred Jr. was elected as the new Commissioner of Major League Baseball (MLB). Since taking over the position, his reputation has been controversial. Manfred has shown his lack of awareness of baseball on many occasions, even going as far as calling the World Series trophy a “piece of metal” in 2020. Manfred’s tenure as commissioner has not only failed to improve the game but has actively harmed its integrity and appeal. He has made many controversial changes and has been unable to handle important situations. Manfred’s actions continue to lead MLB down a troubling path.
As previously stated, Manfred called the World Series trophy a “piece of metal.” This statement came after he mishandled the Houston Astros 2017 cheating scandal, which saw the Astros use technology to steal signs en route to a World Series victory. The Astros were not exposed for cheating until late 2019, and many expected them to be stripped of their championship. Surprisingly, Manfred decided to grant all Astros players immunity from punishment and went on to fine the Astros a mere five million dollars. This situation marked the beginning of Manfred’s bad reputation among players and fans. Many players have publicly stated their frustration with the lack of harsh punishments.
Other glaring issues during his tenure have been his failure to properly address the challenges faced by small-market teams, such as the Oakland Athletics’ relocation to Las Vegas and the Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium issues.
In addition, during his tenure as commissioner, Manfred implemented a series of rule changes that sparked significant criticism. While some of these changes were designed to “modernize” the game and make it more appealing to a broader audience, many believe they have altered the core elements that make baseball unique.
The most drastic change was the introduction of the pitch clock, designed to speed up games by limiting the amount of time pitchers have to deliver a pitch–15 seconds with the bases empty and 20 seconds with runners on. Rob Manfred was very passionate about the pitch clock, he began testing it in the minor leagues in 2015 and officially adopted it to MLB in 2023. While the pitch clock has succeeded mainly in reducing game lengths, it has disputed the natural rhythm of the game. Many pitchers, including veteran Max Scherzer, have publicly expressed their concerns. Scherzer talked about how many pitchers feel like the pitch clock is rushing them too much. He worries about an increase in injuries due to the rule. Despite these concerns from players, Manfred has remained silent on the issue, continuing to support the rule’s implementation.
Earlier this week, Manfred claimed there has been “buzz” among MLB owners about a “Golden At-Bat” rule. He said, “There are a variety of [rule change ideas] that are being talked about out there. One of them–there was a little buzz around it at an owners’ meeting–was the idea of a Golden At-Bat.” The Golden At-Bat rule would allow a team to pinch-hit their best player during an at-bat once per game, regardless of where they are in the lineup. For example, if the bases were loaded and the team’s worst hitter was up to bat, they could substitute their best hitter for that at-bat.
Over the past few days, this rule has received significant backlash online. Many stated that it would ruin the game forever. Radio host Mike Francesa went as far as to say, “I would think the commissioner fell on his head or something,” New York Times writer Paul Sullivan wrote that the rule is Manfred’s “latest inane idea.”
Overall, Rob Manfred’s tenure as MLB Commissioner has been marked by a series of missteps and decisions that have negatively impacted fans, players and the game of baseball as a whole. His prioritization of profit over passion for the sport has been evident throughout the years. Manfred’s emphasis on quick fixes that appeal to wider audiences often disregards the very traditions and essence of baseball that its fans and players hold so dear. Despite the ongoing backlash and criticism, Manfred remains at the head of MLB, with his current contract extending until 2029.
