• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • NFL
  • NHL
  • MLB
  • NBA
  • Pro Wrestling
  • MMA
Rob Manfred is an Utter Disgrace to Major League Baseball

Rob Manfred is an Utter Disgrace to Major League Baseball

February 17, 2020
Raiders TE Foster Moreau

Raiders Backup TE Fight for Snaps

March 3, 2021

2021 Chiefs Draft Prospect: Dyami Brown

March 3, 2021
ADVERTISEMENT
Possible Chicago Bears trade target Russell Wilson

Chicago Bears: Desperation Could Help Team Land Big Quarterback

March 3, 2021
Matt Mitrione: Showcasing that NFL and MMA  Crossovers Can Work

Matt Mitrione: Showcasing that NFL and MMA Crossovers Can Work

March 3, 2021
Why Not Eight? Tom Brady Already Focused On 2021

Why Not Eight? Tom Brady Already Focused On 2021

March 2, 2021

This Or That: Jon Feliciano Or David Andrews?

March 2, 2021
Could Miami Replace Stability Center Ted Karras with Green Bay’s Corey Linsley?

Could Miami Replace Stability Center Ted Karras with Green Bay’s Corey Linsley?

March 2, 2021
Former Chicago Bears cornerback Buster Skrine

Chicago Bears: Team Makes First Move To Add Salary Cap Space

March 2, 2021
How Can You Not “Love The Drake?”

How Can You Not “Love The Drake?”

March 2, 2021
Giants Free-Agency Targets: CB Ronald Darby

Giants Free-Agency Targets: CB Ronald Darby

March 2, 2021
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Opinion: Focusing on the Wrong

March 2, 2021
WWE Raw Results, Grades & Opinion: March 1, 2021

WWE Raw Results, Grades & Opinion: March 1, 2021

March 2, 2021
  • Apply to Write
  • Contact Us
  • FullPressRadio.com
  • SHOP FPC
  • FullPressHockey.com
  • FullPressWrestling.com


Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Full Press Coverage
  • Latest
    • Full Press Radio Network
    • Apply to Write
    • Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
  • NFL
    • AFC
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Buffalo Bills
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Denver Broncos
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Miami Dolphins
      • New England Patriots
      • New York Jets
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • Tennessee Titans
    • NFC
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Carolina Panthers
      • Chicago Bears
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • New Orleans Saints
      • New York Giants
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Washington Football Club
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Other Sports
    • College Sports
    • MMA
    • XFL
    • Futbol
    • AAF
  • Podcasts
    • FPC Radio LIVE
    • Dylan and Ross Save Sports
    • The Eye Test for Two
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Black Tuesday
    • Get Off My Lawn
    • The Sap and Kat Show
    • Talkamania
    • Crossbody of Work
    • The Salvaggio and Cratty Sports Podcast
    • All Shows
No Result
View All Result
Full Press Coverage
No Result
View All Result
Home Featured

Rob Manfred is an Utter Disgrace to Major League Baseball

Sam Turner by Sam Turner
February 17, 2020
in Featured, MLB, MLB Featured
Reading Time: 6min read
0
Rob Manfred is an Utter Disgrace to Major League Baseball

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

1.5k
SHARES
3.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The commissioner of baseball is at the very core of the plethora of problems that the league faces. Instead of taking action to proactively make these issues right, he instead has shown a pattern of standing idly by while the game of baseball suffers in the process.

Manfred’s response to the Astros’ sign-stealing cheating mess has been far too passive in the eyes of many, including the great Mike Trout, who said, “To cheat like that and not get anything (in the form of a penalty), it’s sad to see.”

More FromFPC

Matt Mitrione: Showcasing that NFL and MMA  Crossovers Can Work

Matt Mitrione: Showcasing that NFL and MMA Crossovers Can Work

March 3, 2021

Why Not Eight? Tom Brady Already Focused On 2021

March 2, 2021

Could Miami Replace Stability Center Ted Karras with Green Bay’s Corey Linsley?

March 2, 2021

Lost Weekend Casts Doubt on Sabres Direction And Future

March 1, 2021

The punishments that were doled out were largely inconsequential, as none of the players were given any formal discipline. In Manfred’s recent interview with ESPN, he asserts that “if you watch the players, watch their faces when they have to deal with this issue publicly, they have paid a price.” 

He is essentially saying that the public’s bashing of the Astros is punishment enough for the players; this plays on the assumption that they are the embodiment of morality and that they would feel remorse for what they did. How can anyone assume that any of the players feel bad at all? The responses of the members of the Astros when their wrongdoing was finally proven were empty and scripted, and team owner Jim Crane even went as far as saying that the Astros’ cheating “didn’t impact the game”, and that ”we had a good team, we won the World Series. We’ll leave it at that.”

Further, in Manfred’s interview with ESPN, he spit out the notion that the World Series trophy is simply a “piece of metal.” How in the world Manfred could be so entirely out of touch is beyond any logical understanding, but should not be surprising to any baseball fan given his history of malpractice. The physical World Series trophy alone does not mean anything – its significance, and the meaning behind it – are all that matters to anyone. It is astonishing that a man in a position of such power can be so blatantly ignorant. It is disgusting that he would dare to demean the greatest achievement in this sport down to just the physical trophy and ignore its history and unmistakable symbolism.

The Dodgers’ Justin Turner echoed this sentiment, as he said that “the only thing devaluing it right now is the fact that it says ‘Commissioner’ on it. It’s just unbelievable. Is he that out of touch with our game, that those are his comments?”

This is not to say that Manfred had to strip the Astros of their 2017 title, but to state that their tainted championship does not really matter is absolutely unacceptable. He is leading fans to believe that the Astros’ cheating only means anything because they got caught, not because it happened. Imagine the word of law in this country to mean something like if you rob someone, it is only illegal if you are caught. This would work to encourage the behavior of breaking the law, so long as the perpetrators cover their tracks. This is exactly the message that Rob Manfred is sending to players about cheating in baseball: nobody will stop it unless you are caught – so make sure you aren’t.

Reds’ pitcher Trevor Bauer articulates it perfectly through an article in the Athletic when he remarks, “Yeah, [the Astros] have to say [that they cheated] but honestly, in that situation, I would rather them just come out and say, ‘Yeah, we did it. We’re not sorry about it. Yeah, we cheated. We’ll take the penalty and come beat us.’ At least it would be honest. Just tell us how you actually feel. Don’t lie. You’ve been lying the entire f****** time. Now you’re lying about your apology.”

After the Astros’ cheating became public knowledge, it was Manfred’s duty to come out and say that these practices are not, have never been, and will never be tolerated whatsoever in this sport. Major League Baseball needed a leader; instead, it got a selfish tool of a man who only cares about saving face.

In Bauer’s interview, he also explained how and why the impact of the Astros’ cheating went far beyond what met the eye. He said that the Astros “Robbed from other people, [took] their positions, their livelihood, the dollars, the experience of being an All-Star, the experience of moving on in the postseason, the experience of winning a World Series perhaps. It’s so far-reaching. To see them sit there and be like, ‘I’m sorry that we got caught. I’m sorry for the actions that the team and the organization and myself took. That’s all I’m going to say.’ It’s hollow.”

The fact that a player’s response to this mess was infinitely better than the commissioner’s is deplorable – and extremely telling.

Manfred went on to say in his ESPN interview that “people will always know that something was different about the 2017 season, and whether we made that decision right or wrong, we undertook a thorough investigation, and had the intestinal fortitude to share the results of that investigation, even when those results were not very pretty.”

Quite bluntly, Manfred is enabling this type of behavior in the future by not condemning it firmly enough in the present. His words send the message that, Hey, the Astros cheated, but it only matters because they got caught. If Mike Fiers had never spoken up, this controversy – which Bauer felt was “the worst kept secret in baseball” for years – would have gotten swept under the rug.

Manfred only launched the league’s investigation into the Houston Astros because he had to. There was no righteous initiative behind his actions; he simply was forced to unearth the truth because the questions would have been too uncomfortable if he had neglected to do so.

The issues surrounding Manfred go much further than his response to the Astros’ scandal. His handling of the entire sport during his time as commissioner has been exceptionally problematic in terms of the game’s present and future health.

Again referencing the words of Trevor Bauer, he explained how the game’s popularity should be of utmost concern to its leadership. Bauer stated how last season, the “baseball playoffs are going on and Joel Embiid, in the second game of the NBA season that doesn’t mean anything, is trending. There are two basketball players trending nationally above anything baseball-related during Game 7 of one of the best World Series that we’ve seen.”

The NBA has set the bar for how a league should operate with the presence of this day and age’s social media dominance. Bauer concurred when he stated that “you have the NBA that is just absolutely crushing everybody, that gives content away like, ‘Please post our content. Here you go.’”

MLB needs to take advantage of any shred of publicity and national attention that it possibly can, instead of shutting down fantastic twitter accounts like Rob Friedman’s Pitching Ninja, or making life harder for content creators like Jomboy.

This includes the fundamental need to make baseball accessible for everyone, on all devices, and in every corner of the country and the world. Instead, the league cares far more about its bottom line by enforcing widespread blackout restrictions on its MLB.TV streaming platform. Instead of promoting baseball as a prominent part of any sports fan’s life by making it easier to watch games and view highlights, the league is tying its own hands behind its back by limiting who can actually enjoy the games.

Manfred’s intentions became even more clear a few weeks back when news came to light of an “improved” potential postseason structure. Publicity stunts such as leaking rumors like these have become the standard for Major League Baseball. Nearly all baseball fans would not be in favor of these proposed changes, but that’s not what Manfred truly cares about – not in the least bit. He is fishing for television ratings through a “reality TV twist” (as Joel Sherman put in in the aforementioned New York Post piece) that would draw viewers and dollars.

Improving and nurturing the game of baseball should unquestionably be the only motivators of the league’s commissioner. Yet, it has become evidently clear that the only thing that matters to Rob Manfred is covering for himself and fattening his own wallet, and in doing so he is undercutting the integrity of the game and setting a dangerous precedent that will be felt for years to come.

Tags: astrosMLBRob Manfred
Share618Tweet386
Previous Post

Lightning Acquire Coleman From Devils

Next Post

The Blues Vs Ducks Game Has Been Rescheduled

Sam Turner

Sam Turner

Next Post
The Blues Vs Ducks Game Has Been Rescheduled

The Blues Vs Ducks Game Has Been Rescheduled

LA Kings Trade Tyler Toffoli To The Vancouver Canucks

LA Kings Trade Tyler Toffoli To The Vancouver Canucks

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

A Twitter List by iglen31

FPC Podcasts

  • Ep 32: HOFer Alan Faneca Joins the Shows
    by Full Press Coverage on March 3, 2021 at 5:11 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/43721848/eyetest_ep32.mp3
  • Ep.196: Karendacity, Southern Unhospitality, Hot Dogs
    by Full Press Coverage on March 3, 2021 at 4:09 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV3050453055.mp3?updated=1614787762
  • 3/3 - Car Stories; Veterans Released; Patriots QB in 2021
    by Full Press Coverage on March 3, 2021 at 3:16 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV3395676457.mp3?updated=1614789665
  • Ep.71: 2021 Preview: Week One
    by Full Press Coverage on March 3, 2021 at 9:00 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV7736742284.mp3
  • The Most Dangerous Lead in Hockey - Mar. 2, 2021
    by Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2021 at 9:00 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/6F48GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV5459284023.mp3?updated=1614718406
  • Ep #95: A Look At Latest Comments From Brett Veach
    by Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2021 at 6:48 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV7560364991.mp3
  • Ep 31: A Conversation With Former HOF Voter Ira Miller
    by Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2021 at 5:57 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/43706342/eyetest_ep31.mp3
  • Ep. 195: The Creep, the Sheep, the Sleep
    by Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2021 at 5:09 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV7267001388.mp3
  • Ep.194: Cascading Waterfall of WTF
    by Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2021 at 7:00 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV4347396937.mp3
  • The Pick and Roll NBA Podcast W/ Jet and Sap - EP 11 - LeBron vs. Ibrahimović; Why Kobe Isn't the Right Choice for NBA Logo
    by Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2021 at 1:59 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/43696480/pick_and_roll_3_1.mp3

  • WWE Raw Results, Grades & Opinion: March 1, 2021
    by Evan Gomes on March 2, 2021 at 4:49 am

    WWE Raw Results, Grades & Opinion: March 1, 2021 A.K.A. The One Where Lashley Finally Did It […]

  • NXT TakeOver Draft: Who Can Build The Best All-Time TakeOver Card?
    by Evan Gomes on March 1, 2021 at 2:30 pm

    Who can create the best NXT TakeOver card? One of the most consistent events in wrestling over the […]

  • Crossbody of Work Episode 52: Jacqueline
    by Evan Gomes on February 27, 2021 at 3:05 pm

    Welcome to Crossbody of Work, a show where we break down a wrestler’s career through five of […]

  • WWE: The Latest Performance Center Class & Debuts
    by Evan Gomes on February 26, 2021 at 1:45 pm

    Who has WWE added to their talent pool? WWE has brought in it’s largest Performance Center class […]

  • AEW Signs “The Big Show” Paul Wight
    by Evan Gomes on February 24, 2021 at 4:35 pm

    Well… AEW has announced the signing of wrestling legend Paul Wight, known in WWE as The Big Show, […]

More Wrestling News

  • Par for the Course: Desert Aesthetic Highlights Palm Springs Arena
    by FPC AHL Staff on March 3, 2021 at 4:47 pm

    The arena plan calls for groundbreaking in May near Palm Desert, aiming for completion in time for […]

  • How Can You Not “Love The Drake?”
    by Murray Pam on March 2, 2021 at 12:46 pm

    Drake Batherson potted another two goals Monday in the Ottawa Senators 5-1 romp over the Calgary […]

  • Stockton Heat Storylines to Follow After Opening Series
    by Paige Siewert on March 2, 2021 at 4:28 am

    Better late than never is the theme of the AHL season this year. The Stockton Heat dealt with […]

  • Back At Full Strength, Flyers Are Riding High As They Head To Pittsburgh
    by Carol Schram on March 2, 2021 at 1:47 am

    Healthy once again, the Philadelphia Flyers are on a high as they head into Pittsburgh for three […]

  • Penguins’ Offense Goes Cold in Shutout Loss to Islanders
    by Luke Talotta on March 1, 2021 at 11:09 pm

    The Pittsburgh Penguins dropped the second of back-to-back meetings with the New York Islanders in […]

More Hockey News

  • Ep 54: Boston Strong Through First Quarter; Bruins Ready For Tahoe; Trade Rumors
    by Full Press Coverage on February 19, 2021 at 1:42 pm

    Ian and Chris discuss the Bruins first quarter of the season, the upcoming […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/26944781/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-02-19%2F9842e3b3bd832cd255d0058b2a68b0b5.m4a
  • Ep 53: Bruins On a Roll; Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy; Blackey Family History
    by Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2021 at 10:40 pm

    Ian and Chris are joined by Eric Blackey to talk Bruins' hot streak, […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/26174126/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-02-03%2F66793c2461c1f0eaf37253a4e481f46b.m4a
  • Ep 52: Bruins Early Season Struggles
    by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2021 at 10:51 pm

    Ian and Chris react to the first few games of the season and wonder what […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/25536904/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-01-21%2F3056b20d5e95c23e9c23b40f379c9029.m4a
  • Ep 51: Bergeron Dons The "C", Picking Up the Chara/Krug Slack; Season Expectations
    by Full Press Coverage on January 13, 2021 at 10:20 pm

    Mike Cratty of the Sal and Cratty Show and BlackNGoldHockey.com joins Ian […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/25157918/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-01-13%2F4542c465ec7a3234f146bea647ede57e.m4a
  • Ep 50: Mr. Chara Goes to Washinton
    by Full Press Coverage on December 31, 2020 at 9:14 pm

    Ian and Chris react to the Capitals signing of Bruins longtime captain, […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/24623669/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-12-31%2F26d5b85c06ec2255c2f6cfc78b24cf94.m4a
  • Ep 49: Bruins New Division; Chara's Future in Boston
    by Full Press Coverage on December 23, 2020 at 7:21 pm

    Ian and Chris return to discuss the NHL's 56-game season, the Bruins new […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/24356084/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-12-23%2F5755949a0115f50df8582cc32916323a.m4a
  • Ep 48: Jake DeBrusk Signs; Reverse Retro Jerseys; Thanksgiving Food Draft
    by Full Press Coverage on November 26, 2020 at 5:54 pm

    On this Thanksgiving episode of the Big Bad Bruins Podcast, Ian and Chris […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/23142833/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-11-26%2F52d6fc857b1cd37d19b4fe24752398f6.m4a
Full Press Coverage

© 2020 Full Press Coverage

Navigate Site

  • Staff Portal
  • Apply to Write
  • Contact Us
  • Have a news tip?
  • Privacy Policy
  • FPC Radio Network
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • FullPressHockey.com

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest
    • Full Press Radio Network
    • Apply to Write
    • Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
  • NFL
    • AFC
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Buffalo Bills
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Denver Broncos
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Miami Dolphins
      • New England Patriots
      • New York Jets
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • Tennessee Titans
    • NFC
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Carolina Panthers
      • Chicago Bears
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • New Orleans Saints
      • New York Giants
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Washington Football Club
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Other Sports
    • College Sports
    • MMA
    • XFL
    • Futbol
    • AAF
  • Podcasts
    • FPC Radio LIVE
    • Dylan and Ross Save Sports
    • The Eye Test for Two
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Black Tuesday
    • Get Off My Lawn
    • The Sap and Kat Show
    • Talkamania
    • Crossbody of Work
    • The Salvaggio and Cratty Sports Podcast
    • All Shows

© 2020 Full Press Coverage