Unpopular Opinion - I like Rob Manfred

[edfunderburk]

I see so many negative posts on social media & suggestions that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred be fired … but honestly, I don’t get it.

 

No doubt, both sides (owners & players) are greedy & stubborn - neither seems to listen to the other side … the fans pay the price.

 

But, I for one, like Rob Manfred & believe he is as good as previous commissioners - including former Brewers owner, Bud Selig.

 

I’m sure many on this board will disagree - possibly in an aggressive way … but my opinion won’t change.

 

I do hope there is a settlement & agreement in place ASAP. Like all of you, I’m ready for some baseball! Here’s hoping the Brewers “finally” win the World Series. I was 21 when they last appeared in the Fall Classic.

 

I would love to see Milwaukee add another bat - maybe Nelson Cruz - & a few bullpen arms - maybe a few returning from last year’s successful pen.

 

Go Brewers!

[jerichoholicninja]

Other than his rules changes to appeal to the ADD generation I don't feel one way or another about him.

[adambr2]

I try to keep an open mind, but if you're going to offer a contrarion opinion, I would think you'd at least back if up with some examples of what you think makes Rob Manfred a good commissioner rather than just saying "I like Rob Manfred."

[Patrick425]

There are several reasons why I dislike Manfred. Mostly due to rule changes that he is "experimenting" with in the minors with the possibility of bringing them to the majors some day. Things like limiting pick off moves to first (Seriously?!) and making the shift "illegal" (or limiting the area where certain players can position themselves). There are others, but those are the 2 that immediately come to mind. I also am not a fan at all of expanding the playoffs. I've always like that baseball playoff were move exclusive than other sports (NBA playoffs are a joke).

[owbc]

There are several reasons why I dislike Manfred. Mostly due to rule changes that he is "experimenting" with in the minors with the possibility of bringing them to the majors some day. Things like limiting pick off moves to first (Seriously?!) and making the shift "illegal" (or limiting the area where certain players can position themselves). There are others, but those are the 2 that immediately come to mind. I also am not a fan at all of expanding the playoffs. I've always like that baseball playoff were move exclusive than other sports (NBA playoffs are a joke).

 

The rule change experiments are the only thing that I like about Manfred. MLB is very far from ideal baseball right now and the rules changes are needed to rein in the current state of the product. Unfortunately, given everything else we know about Manfred, there's no reason to trust that rule changes will be done in good faith.

 

Everything else about the guy is disgusting. He is laser focused on making more short-term profits for the owners. I get that it's in his job description to do that, but he doesn't even try to reduce the collateral damage to the sport caused by the obsession with profit. Whenever he opens his mouth it only causes the schisms between the owners/players/fans/media to widen. He lacks even the tiniest bit of likability or charisma and there is zero reason to empathize with anything that he says or does.

 

It's already clear that nothing is going to get resolved this lockout and we're going to basically return to the same state of baseball, except with all the problems from the last CBA being further magnified. Great.

[damuelle]

If he kills the shift or expands the playoffs to 14 or more teams, I'll not think of him fondly.

 

If he agrees to let most players hit full scale free agency before age 29, I'll give him solid kudos for that.

 

If he cuts each team's combined MILB state-wide rosters below 180 players, I'll be quite disappointed on that count.

 

If he puts in robo-strike zones, that'd be a win for me. No need for mistakes when it's already such a tough battle between pitchers and hitters.

[jerichoholicninja]

There are several reasons why I dislike Manfred. Mostly due to rule changes that he is "experimenting" with in the minors with the possibility of bringing them to the majors some day. Things like limiting pick off moves to first (Seriously?!) and making the shift "illegal" (or limiting the area where certain players can position themselves). There are others, but those are the 2 that immediately come to mind. I also am not a fan at all of expanding the playoffs. I've always like that baseball playoff were move exclusive than other sports (NBA playoffs are a joke).

 

The rule change experiments are the only thing that I like about Manfred. MLB is very far from ideal baseball right now and the rules changes are needed to rein in the current state of the product. Unfortunately, given everything else we know about Manfred, there's no reason to trust that rule changes will be done in good faith.

 

Everything else about the guy is disgusting. He is laser focused on making more short-term profits for the owners. I get that it's in his job description to do that, but he doesn't even try to reduce the collateral damage to the sport caused by the obsession with profit. Whenever he opens his mouth it only causes the schisms between the owners/players/fans/media to widen. He lacks even the tiniest bit of likability or charisma and there is zero reason to empathize with anything that he says or does.

 

It's already clear that nothing is going to get resolved this lockout and we're going to basically return to the same state of baseball, except with all the problems from the last CBA being further magnified. Great.

 

More money for the owners equals more money for the players, right? Maybe not immediately and maybe not proportionately but why else have player salaries skyrocketed with profits the last couple decades. If Manfred is doing things to maximize profits that's to the benefit of both the players and the owners, isn't it? And that's all everyone really wants - money - players and owners. They could care less about the game itself or what the fans want.

[nate82]

I would like to see some more rule changes made to the game like going to a 7-inning game format. The 8th 9th and 10th inning would be played as normal if there is a tie and then the 11th inning would be played with a runner at 1B and the team with the most bases in the 11th inning wins the game. Then also go to a point system like the NHL for wins and extra inning wins. Wins give you 3pts an extra inning game gives both teams 1pt and the winning team gets an extra point for winning. Go back to the two divisions for each league but this time separate the leagues by geographical locations.

 

What I would really like to see would be a sudden death each team picks 3 batters and 1 runner that starts at 1B in the 11th inning and 1 pitcher. Whoever scores the most runs wins the game. The runner who starts at 1B is the only player allowed to score there are no outs counted just three batters have to try and get that runner home. After each AB the runner returns to 1B. If no team scores or the teams are tied the next inning the runner starts at 2B until they score and then they will start at 1B.

 

Remove the managers ability to challenge plays. Somehow bring back stealing to the game if that means limiting the number of throw overs per PA then fine. Something like 4 free throw overs per PA anything over 4 gives the batter a +1 to the ball count or removes a strike. Add robot umps to call balls and strikes the human umpire will still need to call check swings, foul tips, fair or foul calls and plays at the plate.

 

Finally actually follow the rules for the batter to be ready once they enter the batters box no more hour long batting setup rituals. Also no more timeouts allowed by batters unless they are hurt or an off the field distraction is occurring.

[patrickgpe]

he works for the owners. I don't think he is doing a great job, but he is doing what the owners want or else he wouldn't be commissioner. Its the same as Goodell.

[adambr2]

According to Evan Drellich of The Athletic, Major League Baseball lawyers said Friday in federal court that minor league players should not be paid during spring training, because they should be considered trainees.

“It is the players that obtain the greater benefit from the training opportunities that they are afforded than the clubs, who actually just incur the cost of having to provide that training,” said Elise Bloom of Proskauer Rose, a law firm that is also advising MLB during the current lockout of major league players. Unreal. Drellich adds that the argument was put forth by MLB during it's efforts to dismiss a class-action lawsuit brought forth by minor league players nearly a decade ago. A jury trial in the case is set to begin June 1. Minor leaguers, who are not part of the Major League Baseball Players Association, have seen pay increases the last few years, but those expansions haven't gone nearly far enough.

 

https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/baseball/mlb/player/14398/rob-manfred

 

Yeah, this guy is really likeable.

[jerichoholicninja]

They were already not getting paid during spring training, same as every other player that's there. Their reasoning is stupid but this is being pushed like it's something the owners just decided today.

[SomewhereInTime]

I would like to see some more rule changes made to the game like going to a 7-inning game format. The 8th 9th and 10th inning would be played as normal if there is a tie and then the 11th inning would be played with a runner at 1B and the team with the most bases in the 11th inning wins the game. Then also go to a point system like the NHL for wins and extra inning wins. Wins give you 3pts an extra inning game gives both teams 1pt and the winning team gets an extra point for winning. Go back to the two divisions for each league but this time separate the leagues by geographical locations.

 

What I would really like to see would be a sudden death each team picks 3 batters and 1 runner that starts at 1B in the 11th inning and 1 pitcher. Whoever scores the most runs wins the game. The runner who starts at 1B is the only player allowed to score there are no outs counted just three batters have to try and get that runner home. After each AB the runner returns to 1B. If no team scores or the teams are tied the next inning the runner starts at 2B until they score and then they will start at 1B.

 

Remove the managers ability to challenge plays. Somehow bring back stealing to the game if that means limiting the number of throw overs per PA then fine. Something like 4 free throw overs per PA anything over 4 gives the batter a +1 to the ball count or removes a strike. Add robot umps to call balls and strikes the human umpire will still need to call check swings, foul tips, fair or foul calls and plays at the plate.

 

Finally actually follow the rules for the batter to be ready once they enter the batters box no more hour long batting setup rituals. Also no more timeouts allowed by batters unless they are hurt or an off the field distraction is occurring.

 

How about instead of a warning track, it's a warning moat?

 

[MVP2110]

I know I'm in the minority but I loved when the playoffs was 16 teams. It felt like MLBs version of March Madness with games going on all day long. That and it increases variance and allows for more great teams to be upset which should help the Brewers

[adambr2]

The problem with a 16 team playoff format is that every bit of playoff expansion just makes the regular season less meaningful. Baseball's season is so long and grueling that it really should matter. It mattered a lot when it was just 2 teams from each league playing for it all and even the 4 team per league format was pretty acceptable. The more watered down it gets the less I enjoy the long journey.

 

I consider myself a pretty big Milwaukee Bucks fan and I've barely watched a bit of the 82 game regular season already through most of the season because it just frankly does not matter at all.

[Roderick]

The problem with a 16 team playoff format is that every bit of playoff expansion just makes the regular season less meaningful. Baseball's season is so long and grueling that it really should matter. It mattered a lot when it was just 2 teams from each league playing for it all and even the 4 team per league format was pretty acceptable. The more watered down it gets the less I enjoy the long journey.

 

I think the opposite of you. The reason it is such a long season is why I am okay with the amount of teams in playoffs. If your team is out of it right away even though your team is doing okay because the Detroit Tigers start out the season 35-5 in 1984, then what is to keep your interest (your money) for baseball? You equalize that by weighting the chances in the playoffs: wildcards teams have to play-in to the playoffs and the division winners and/or best record get a bye.

[sveumrules]

They could expand the playoffs & still maintain the integrity of the regular season if they do it right.

 

If you wanted to increase from the current ten teams to say a twelve team field, that is six teams per league. Top two division winners get a bye. Third division winner picks which Wild Card they play & only have to win one game to advance where the WC needs to win two games to advance. Other two WCs just play the standard win & yr in, loser go home game like we have now.

 

Could even go out to fourteen teams & do the same as above, but with only the #1 seed in each league getting the first round bye.

 

Sixteen teams just seems like too many. Maybe save that for if they ever expand again.

[Jopal78]

Manfred does what the owners collectively tell him to do, or he would be out of a job. Fay Vincent tried to do what he thought was "best for the game" and the owners quickly kicked him out of the job, and put one of their own (Selig) in as Commissioner.

 

Manfred was one of the owners'' lawyers in the '94 labor fight, and had risen to Selig's right hand man, before taking over for Bud. So his actions as Commissioner are likely 100% owner approved and always will be.

 

Manfred (and the Player's Union) know the next CBA will be better for the players than the one which just expired (which despite their PR was pretty good for the players), the real fight is how much better the next one will be over the last. Just like in settlement negotiations for a lawsuit, both sides start out with unreasonable positions asking for the moon and stars. But both sets of negotiators for the owners and unions have amongst themselves realistic but likely inflated figures of where they'd like to be, and ultimately a real set of numbers that will get a deal done, and they haggle for the best situation they can get. In this instance despite the clock ticking neither side appears in a hurry to come off of their initial unreasonable positions.

[jerichoholicninja]

It make sense that neither side is in a hurry. The owners have nearly empty stadiums in March and April and a good chunk of May and the players hate spring training and the 162 game season.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I don't know, I think they have the format just right with the WC play-in. It's just enough where several teams are usually battling to get that game and not so many that trash teams are qualifying. September has definitely been more fun since it was added.