[ad_1]
The 2023 MLB draft kicked off with a round of boos directed at Commissioner Rob Manfred on a sunny evening at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
Manfred is visibly annoyed by the chorus as he tries to greet the fans gathered in front of him with Bronx cheers.
Shouts continued as the commissioner climbed onto the stage to announce each selection. Only the first pick from the draft, announced by former Seattle Mariners star Ken Griffey Jr., was hailed.
•
Rob Manfred appeared visibly shaken at the crowd response in the MLB draft. Commissioner has been a divisive force at the forefront of American amusement, with many game callers rooting for their disagreement with a number of Manfred’s tweaks to the game.
Many MLB Draft fans disapprove of Rob Manfred over his handling of the Oakland Athletics’ potential move to Las Vegas.
In mid-June, Manfred taunted the Oaklanders after their “reverse boycott” involving over 20,000 fans at a game. The Athletics are averaging just over 10,000 fans per game this season, as the Oaklanders show their disapproval of the team’s imminent move to Sin City.
Not all baseball fans support booing Rob Manfred in the MLB draft. Many fans are enjoying Manfred as he pushes through rule changes that include pitch clocking, larger bases, and banning defensive turnovers. The rule changes are credited with making the games faster and more exciting.
Booing the commissioner has become a staple of drafts in major sports in America.
Booing NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is an annual tradition, much of which comes from his moving the game away from cities in the northern United States and Canada and into the southern United States. to boos.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who leads America’s most popular sport, was also booed hard in the NFL Draft. Goodell often smiles in disbelief, which is the exact opposite of Manfred’s steely demeanor and grinding tone when he announces draft picks.
Rob Manfred clearly doesn’t enjoy the MLB draft
Manfred continued to advance to the podium, announcing each selection as sternly as possible, before quickly retreating from the stage. The commissioner had a long night in the span of two hours, and he clearly didn’t enjoy the experience.
Only the first and second rounds, as well as compensatory shots, occurred on Sunday. The remaining selections will be made on Monday and Tuesday, with Manfred unlikely to be seen on the podium again during the event.
[ad_2]
