Avast ye scallywags! The MLB Commissioner, Rob Manfred, be gettin' a contract extension after the scurvy owners' vote. Arrr!
2023-07-26
Avast ye, me hearties! Rob Manfred, the MLB commissioner, be havin' his contract extended, aye! Some scurvy dogs be praisin' him, while others be cursin' him for his choices. Yarrr, the winds of opinion be blowin' in all directions!
In a controversial move, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has had his contract extended through the 2028 season. Despite facing criticism for his decisions, particularly regarding rule changes, the majority team owners believe he is the right person for the job.One of Manfred's most significant changes was the implementation of a pitch timer, which has successfully reduced the average length of a nine-inning game to two hours and 38 minutes. This is the shortest average time since 1984 and a significant improvement from the longest-ever average of three hours and 11 minutes in 2021.
Another change that has had a positive impact is the introduction of larger bases, leading to an increase in stolen base attempts and a historic success rate. These rule changes have also attracted fans back to the ballpark, with the average attendance reaching its highest point since 2018.
Despite these successes, Manfred has faced criticism for his handling of various situations. He chose not to punish players involved in the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal, which has caused controversy. Additionally, he received backlash for downplaying the significance of the World Series trophy.
Manfred's contract extension means he will continue as commissioner until 2028, and he will face his third collective bargaining negotiation in 2026. Despite the controversies, Major League Baseball's revenue has increased under his leadership, reaching close to $11 billion last year.
Overall, while Manfred has made some debatable decisions, the owners have chosen to support him due to the overall success he has brought to the league. With his contract extended, he will have the opportunity to continue shaping the future of Major League Baseball until 2028.