In a historic move, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has reinstated Pete Rose, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, and other deceased players who were banned from baseball. This makes them eligible for election into the Hall of Fame.
The baseball community has responded with a mix of excitement and skepticism. Debates about these players’ futures in the Hall of Fame are already heating up.
Alongside this decision, Manfred has addressed other pressing issues in Major League Baseball. Topics like attendance, TV ratings, payroll disparities, media negotiations, and the possibility of an Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS) have all come up.
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Reinstatement of Pete Rose and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson
Three weeks ago, Manfred made headlines by reinstating Pete Rose and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, plus several other deceased, previously banned players. Fans, players, and analysts have all weighed in—some say it’s overdue, while others are wary because of the gambling scandals.
Mixed Reactions
Manfred himself knows the reaction is all over the place. Some folks are cheering, others are scratching their heads or outright disagreeing.
He pointed out that reinstatement doesn’t guarantee a Hall of Fame spot. The Classic Era Baseball Committee will decide in December 2027 for the Class of 2028.
Presidential Intervention
President Donald Trump also got involved, lobbying Manfred to reinstate Rose. Manfred listened, but says he considered many perspectives before making his final call.
Pete Rose, banned for betting on baseball while with the Reds, died in September. The timing of the decision feels especially significant for some fans.
Attendance and TV Ratings: A Positive Trend
Manfred has noticed early-season attendance and TV ratings are up compared to last year. He credits this to the strong showings from big-market teams like the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, and Cubs.
Big Markets Thriving
The success of these major teams is boosting the sport’s overall popularity. Manfred even said, “It’s hard to ignore this: We’re good in our big markets right now.”
With these clubs leading their divisions, there’s a buzz among fans that’s hard to miss.
Challenges of Payroll Disparities
But not everything’s rosy. Payroll and performance gaps are growing, making things tough for teams like the White Sox and Rockies.
The Rockies, for example, have a winning percentage under .200. Manfred admits payroll disparity is a real issue, and says ownership is trying to tackle it.
Media Negotiations and Future TV Deals
MLB is deep in talks with media partners to replace the chunk of the TV deal ESPN dropped after this season—including Sunday Night Baseball. Manfred hopes to wrap up negotiations before the All-Star Game in July.
He says the priority is reaching a broad audience, not just maximizing revenue.
Streaming Services in the Mix
Big streaming services are in the running for a piece of MLB’s media rights. This could shake up how fans watch baseball.
The new deals are set to run through 2028, lining up with the end of all MLB’s current TV contracts.
Automated Ball-Strike System: The Future of Umpiring?
MLB is also looking at the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), which they tested in spring training. Manfred says owners feel “really positive” about ABS.
The league is seriously considering rolling it out for the regular season as soon as next year.
Fan Reactions to ABS
Fans watching ABS in spring training have become more critical of human umpires’ mistakes. Complaints about bad calls are up.
Manfred thinks this feedback might push MLB to adopt ABS more widely. The goal is fewer errors and better accuracy behind the plate.
Future of the Tampa Bay Rays
Manfred gave an update on the Tampa Bay Rays. Right now, they’re using the Yankees’ spring training home, Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, since storms damaged Tropicana Field.
He sounded hopeful that repairs will finish in time for the Rays to get back to Tropicana Field by Opening Day in 2026, or maybe just after. Fingers crossed, but you never know with construction timelines.
For more details, check out the original article on Newsday.
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