Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is a Joke
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Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred is a joke. Those aren’t my words, those are the words from pitcher Trevor Bauer as he got wind of proposed changes to the MLB playoff structure. But Bauer’s words certainly reflect just how I feel on the subject matter too, along with what I’d be willing to bet, a LARGE majority of others.
It was announced that Major League Baseball is “mulling over” significant changes to its postseason. Of all the changes, the main thing they are wanting to do is increase playoff teams from 10 (of the 30 teams) to 14. There would be three division winners in each league, along with four (FOUR!) wildcard teams from each league. The team with the best record in each league would receive a bye, while the team with the second best record would choose who they want to play from the wildcard winners. Then, the last divisional winner would choose who they want to play from the wildcard teams, until all teams are finally matched up against one another.
They would plan to have a special “unveiling” on live tv on the last night of the regular season to show the divisional-winning teams choose their opponents. All games in the first round would be a best-of-3 series. According to the article on ESPN.com, the plan seeks to do two things: increase fan interest and give the MLB a richer television rights package.
Ahhh, there it is… “give the MLB a richer television rights package.” That’s what all this is about. It’s not about increasing fan interest because everyone knows it won’t. Baseball fans absolutely do not want this new playoff structure and it won’t magically turn non-baseball fans into fans. It is nothing more than a smokescreen for a greedy commissioner that wants more money. For Rob Manfred, who has done nothing but make a fool of himself since he took over as commissioner for Bud Selig, it’s all about money. It’s not about what’s best for a very beloved and traditional game, but instead how can he make more money. We’ve seen his ideas for changes to the game every single year and they are all absolutely idiotic.
The MLB regular season is long enough at 162 games. As much of a fan as I am, I think it’s too long and they could shorten it 2-3 weeks. And the players have echoed this for as long as I can remember. So, after a long, grueling 162 game season, the plan is to make the playoffs even longer by adding more teams? That’s ridiculous. The players go through so much wear and tear on their bodies by playing every single day that I can guarantee this is the last thing they would want to do. And for what? More money for a greedy, moronic commissioner?
Every single year we go through this. Manfred comes up with the dumbest new rules or formats to the game and it just enrages everyone. Last year it was the pitch clock. When will he stop? Actually, the better question is when will someone replace this clown of a commissioner. He’s doing his best to ruin the best sport in the world. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It’s time to get rid of this “joke” so we can just get back to focusing on the game we all love.
Garett