Rob Manfred has had a controversial time as the commissioner of Major League Baseball since taking over for Bud Selig in January 2015.
Some fans appreciated the changes he’s made to the game to speed up the tempo and his attempts to increase offense, but they have also been changes that traditional fans are mostly against.
In addition, he also oversaw the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, which most fans believe he was too lenient on the team and its players. There has also been controversy surrounding the baseballs used in games, with inconsistent seams, cores and feel to them.
But the game has also grown considerably under Manfred as TV ratings, viewership, attendance and profit reaching all-time highs.
However, Manfred’s tenure as the commissioner of baseball is nearing its end, and he reiterated his plans to retire following his current contract, via Evan Drellich of The Athletic:
“I’m done at the end of this contract,” Manfred said. “I’ve told them (the owners) that, and I’m gonna stick to it. I’ll be 70. It is enough. … You have a certain period of time when you have things that you want to accomplish, you take your best shot, you try to get as much done as possible. And then it’s sort of time for the next guy with his set of things. And I think that’s healthy and good for this.”
Manfred first mentioned his plan to retire during Spring Training in Feb. 2024 while speaking at the Grapefruit League Media Day.
His contract expires following the 2028 season, and a new commissioner would replace him in Jan. 2029. He is on the third deal given to him by team owners, with the first two as five-year deals and the current one four years.
Prior to being elected MLB commissioner, Manfred served as the league’s chief operating officer. Upon joining MLB full-time in 1998, Manfred was an executive vice president in which he oversaw labor relations, economics and league affairs.
It’s unclear who is going to replace Manfred as new MLB commissioner. One potential candidate is deputy commissioner Dan Halem, who has been in his current role since 2017.
Rob Manfred and MLB lockouts
One other major stain on Manfred’s resume was the lockout in 2021-22, which was the first the sport had 1994-95. No games were canceled, but Opening Day was postponed to April 7.
There is a wide belief that another lockout is set to come following the 2026 season, which would further tarnish Manfred’s legacy. If one happens, it would come at a terrible time for the sport given its recent growth.
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