MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred during a press conference. Photo by LM Otero via AP Photo
Major League Baseball Commissioner, Rob Manfred, announced today that he will step down from the position in early 2029.
Manfred has been Commissioner of the sport since 2015, when he replaced Bud Selig. Now, at 65, he is in the midst of his third term after owners voted in July to extend him.
“You can only have so much fun in one lifetime,” Manfred said to reporters in Tampa, Florida today. “I have been open with [owners] about the fact that this is going to be my last term.”
Under Manfred’s tenure, the game has seen numerous changes, most of which came last offseason. These include the pitch clock, larger bases, and playoff expansion. Other changes include runners on second, the shifting of the National League to adopt the Designated Hitter, limits on mound visits and pitching changes, and much more.
Mixed Reactions
The pitch clock change of last season caused a 10% increase in attendance league-wide. However, Manfred has been criticized heavily throughout his tenure, with the largest black eye being his poor handling of the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. He also came under fire for calling the World Series trophy a “piece of tin” a few years ago.
Manfred joined MLB in 1987 as an outside counsel, and then a chief negotiator for labor matters. He was a lawyer prior to working with MLB. But now, 37 years later, Manfred has announced that his current term will be his last. He will step down as Commissioner in early 2029, marking 14 years at that position and 42 years total with MLB.
Uniform Switch
The Commissioner also addressed reporters about the MLB’s decision to switch to Fanatics as their official uniform producer. The decision has come under fire from players who complain that the jerseys will not be as high quality as they were under Nike and other providers.
“The jerseys are different,” Manfred said. “They’re designed to be performance wear as opposed to what’s been traditionally worn, so they are going to be different. But they have been tested more extensively than any jersey in any sport. The feedback from the All-Star Game last year where the jerseys were worn was uniformly positive from the players, so I think after people wear them a little bit, they’re going to be really popular.”
Free-Agent Window?
Manfred also addressed reporters about the potential implementation of a free-agent signing period. The market has been held up by major players under agent Scott Boras opting not to sign until they get the price they want. The owners have suggested a free-agent signing period where players would only be able to sign before the window closes.
“We actually made proposals to that effect to the MLBPA. They were not warmly received,” Manfred said. “With the system we have right now, one of the tactics that’s available to player representatives is to stretch out the negotiation in the belief they’re going to get a better deal. That’s part of the system right now. There’s not a lot we can do about it. Certainly, from an aspirational perspective, we’d rather have two weeks of flurried activity in December, preferably around the winter meetings where you’re all there to write about it.”
Whether or not the free-agent signing period actually happens is up in the air. But what is not up in the air is Manfred’s retirement come 2029, and the reaction will be mixed.
