Rob Manfred: A Commissioner Out of Touch with Baseball

My memo-

To start this critique, I would like to clarify: I do not know Rob Manfred personally, nor have I ever met the man. But I know he should never have been the Commissioner of Major League Baseball. Questionable decisions, misguided priorities, and a blatant disregard for the integrity and tradition of the game have marked his tenure.

A Commissioner Who Never Played the Game

Rob Manfred’s lack of experience as a player is a glaring deficiency. Just as a bad coach who never played the game fails to command respect in the locker room, a commissioner who has never taken the field lacks the fundamental understanding of what baseball means to players and fans alike. Baseball is more than a business; it’s a culture, a tradition, and a passion. A leader without that experience cannot fully appreciate or respect the game's nuances. He is just a Lawyer.

The Puppet of Owners

Manfred’s decisions consistently reflect the interests of team owners rather than the broader baseball community. When sure owners approached him about installing gambling parlors in stadiums, Manfred’s response was a resounding “Sure.” The Commissioner, who was supposed to safeguard the sport's sanctity, opened the door to a potentially corrupting influence, placing revenue streams above integrity. This decision highlights his willingness to compromise the soul of baseball for the sake of profit.

Hypocrisy in Dealing with Pete Rose

Contrast this permissive attitude toward gambling with his treatment of Pete Rose, arguably one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. Rose admitted to betting on his team to win and apologized. What did Manfred do? Nothing. There was no leniency and no attempt to reconcile with a player who was instrumental in shaping the game’s history. The hypocrisy is palpable. How can a commissioner endorse gambling within the stadium walls but maintain a rigid stance against Pete Rose, whose only crime was betting on his team to succeed?

A War on Tradition

Manfred’s tenure has been defined by an incessant desire to tinker with the game—and not for the better. Many former players, including legends like Goose Gossage, have publicly criticized his game’s structure and pace changes. From instituting the pitch clock to altering extra-inning rules, Manfred’s attempts to modernize baseball have alienated purists and disrupted the rhythm that made baseball unique. These changes have failed to attract younger audiences as intended and diminished the game's core fanbase.

The Absentee Landlord

Manfred’s disengagement from critical issues further underscores his unsuitability for the role. What has Manfred done as free agency spirals into absurdity, with contracts pushing toward $800 million or even a billion dollars? Nothing. The unchecked inflation of player contracts is not just a financial issue but a systemic one, creating an ever-widening gap between big markets and small-market teams. Instead of addressing this growing disparity, Manfred has stood idly by an absentee landlord, neglecting the crumbling foundation of his estate.

My Bottom Line-

The Verdict

Rob Manfred’s tenure as Commissioner has been a failure. He has prioritized owners' interests over the integrity of the game, endorsed gambling while hypocritically ostracizing Pete Rose, and made changes that have alienated fans and players alike. His lack of experience as a player and inability to connect with the heart of baseball make him ill-equipped to lead the sport. It is time for Rob Manfred to step down and make way for a leader who truly understands and respects the game—someone who will honor its traditions while thoughtfully guiding it into the future.

Rob Manfred’s legacy will not be one of progress or innovation but of erosion. He has treated baseball as a product rather than a passion, a business rather than a beloved sport. For the game's good, Rob Manfred must retire and let someone who genuinely cares about baseball take the reins.

Rest In Peace, Pete Rose. September 30, 2024

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