Candidates To Succeed Rob Manfred As MLB Commissioner

There are many possible candidates to succeed Rob Manfred as Commissioner of Baseball in 2029. On February 15, Manfred announced his intention to retire at the end of his current term. While that date is somewhat far away, it is not too early to look at potential successors. Manfred succeeded Bud Selig as commissioner in 2015. Before becoming commissioner, Manfred served as MLB Chief Operating Officer and has been working for the league full-time since 1998. In addition, Manfred had served as outside counsel doing work on the collective bargaining agreements.

Potential Candidates To Succeed Rob Manfred

Dan Halem

One of the most logical candidates to succeed Manfred is Dan Halem. Currently the Deputy Commissioner for Baseball Administration and Chief Legal Officer, Halem is the top deputy in the league office. Halem is in charge of the luxury tax, salary arbitration, revenue sharing, and the legal affairs department in the league office. In addition, Halem is responsible for collective bargaining negotiations with the umpires association. Traditionally, internal candidates are promoted to commissioner. If this trend continues, Halem will likely become commissioner.

Tony Clark

Currently the Executive Director of the MLBPA, Tony Clark brings a good skill set, being a former player as well. During his major league career, Clark played for six different teams while being one of the MLBPA player representatives for some of that time. Having a former player become commissioner has not happened yet, but would be a welcome departure from the traditional hiring practices. Before becoming MLBPA Executive Director, Clark served as their Director of Player Relations. Clark played a major role in the unionization of minor league players in 2022.

Theo Epstein

A unique candidate, Theo Epstein has experience in the league office and the front offices of major league teams. Currently serving as a senior advisor to the Fenway Sports Group, Epstein has been viewed in the past as a potential successor to Manfred. From 2002 to 2011, Epstein served as Boston Red Sox General Manager, later serving as Executive Vice President as well. Epstein then served as the Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations from 2011 to 2020. That was followed by Epstein serving as a consultant to the league office.

“Is Theo (Epstein) next?”

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is leaving his post after the 2029 season – is former GM Theo Epstein next in line to take the throne?

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— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) February 16, 2024

Tony Reagins

Another internal candidate, Tony Reagins also brings front-office experience as well as working in the league office. Currently the Chief Baseball Development Officer, Reagins oversees league initiatives to increase baseball participation at the youth level. Additionally, Reagins is in charge of the Arizona Fall League. Before joining the league office, Reagins was the Los Angeles Angels General Manager from 2007 to 2011. Reagins also has experience in marketing, where he worked for the Angels before moving over to baseball operations in 1998.

Bob Kendrick

The current President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Bob Kendrick is someone who would be a great choice for commissioner. The next commissioner needs to be someone invested in preserving the history of baseball, and Kendrick wants to do that. Kendrick is also a member of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Prior to becoming museum president, Kendrick worked as its Director of Marketing and Vice President of Marketing. In addition, in 2010 Kendrick was the Executive Director of the National Sports Center for the Disabled-Kansas City. Under the leadership of Kendrick, the NLBM won an award from the American Business Awards in 2019.

Tony Petitti

Currently the Big Ten Commissioner, Tony Petitti has experience in the league office and in television. In 2015, Petitti succeeded Manfred as Chief Operating Officer. Before becoming COO, Petitti was the President and Chief Executive Officer for MLB Network. Prior to joining the league office, Petitti worked for CBS in various roles. While a somewhat unusual candidate, the past work Petitti has done in the league office and the changing landscape of college sports could lead to him being a candidate for the job in 2029.