MLB
Commissioner Rob Manfred hints of groundbreaking changes in 2024
Commissioner Rob Manfred hints of groundbreaking changes in 2024
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SportsWriters
In a wide-ranging interview with ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr., Rob Manfred (MLB Commissioner) hinted at multiple on-field reforms he would like to see reach the big leagues in the near future, from robot umpires to an increased number of teams.
"I am thrilled to be involved in the movement to bring Major League Baseball to the great state of Tennessee."
- Justin Timberlake
Manfred wants to get to 32
Several cities are considering hosting professional baseball teams, but Manfred did not provide a timeline for when the teams will join MLB. The city of Nashville is looking to welcome an MLB team, while Oregon is trying to bring baseball to the statpope. Orlando, Charlotte, San Antonio, Austin, and San Antonio are also in the running.
Justin Timberlake joined Music City Baseball in 2020, making Nashville one of the biggest pushes. In 1998, MLB expanded to include the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (currently the Tampa Bay Rays).
Ladies and gentlemen, the two new expansion franchises for the MLB
The Nashville Stars ⭐️
The Portland Peacocks 🦚 pic.twitter.com/KBvWJ7q03j— frenchtoastsports 🍞 (@FrenchTSports) June 30, 2022
Danger Will Robinson!
Manfred predicts the automated ball-strike zone system, or robot umpires, will be introduced in 2024. An automated system could call every pitch and transmit balls and strikes to a home plate umpire via an ear piece. You can also use a replay review system of balls and strikes, where each manager gets several challenges per game.
A test of the system in the minor leagues has shaved nine minutes off the average game length this season, MLB data shows.
“Our strike zone system works,” Manfred says.
Which rendering of a robot #MLB umpire is best? @LabanowitzStone @GinetteandJuice pic.twitter.com/Vlpk7B6L6n
— Ken LaVicka (@KLV1063) June 30, 2022
Lost in Space
Manfred also mentioned MLB’s often-criticized blackouts, which prohibit streaming fans from watching games involving local teams. According to the commissioner, MLB wants to end the practice as soon as possible.
Amazing view of Forbes Field during Game 7 of the 1960 World Series from the top of the University of Pittsburgh Cathedral of Learning building! Not for the faint of heart! (Original b&w photo by George Silk – colorization by BSmile) #MLB #Pirates #Yankees #Baseball #History pic.twitter.com/ExtOO1zndh
— Baseball by BSmile (@BSmile) June 28, 2022
"Our No. 1 business priority right now is reach," Manfred says. The topic was a main discussion at an owners meeting in June. "Believe me," he says, "we hate blackouts as much as fans do." Manfred notes that the blackout clauses are written into broadcast deals — which he has overseen — but he says it's now a "top priority" for MLB to phase them out.
- Rob Manfred
Social comments
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred says idea he hates baseball is 'most ridiculous thing' said about him
Ridiculous but still true.
https://cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-commissioner-rob-manfred-says-idea-he-hates-baseball-is-most-ridiculous-thing-said-about-him/… if true, it explains a lot. @VoiceOTheTigers @CodyLeist @BradMorris83 @JacobSmithPDT @hswhitis11 @adamscosports @Williams69Mark
You’ll never win being a commissioner but this douche is the worse commissioner EVER!
@RobManfred hating #baseball? Some parts for sure. He hates #Canada more than he hates baseball. @mlb
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