Rob Manfred’s tenure as Commissioner of Baseball will end in 2029, when his new five-year term comes to an end. Manfred announced the news on Thursday in response to a reporter’s question on the subject.
Rob Manfred says this five-year term will be his last as MLB commissioner, which will end in early 2029 pic.twitter.com/CP81yK5iVl
— SNY (@SNYtv) February 15, 2024
Rob Manfred to Step Down as MLB Commissioner in 2029
At a Thursday press conference at Steinbrenner Field, the New York Yankees’ spring training facility, Manfred fielded a question speculating about his future. He confirmed the rumor that his current term would be his last. He prefaced this by saying, “Look, I’m 65. I just started a five-year term. Do that math, right? That makes me 70 years old (in 2029).”
Rob Manfred is done as commissioner in January 2029.
“You can only have so much fun in one lifetime. I have been open with them (the owners) about the fact that this is going to be my last term.”
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) February 15, 2024
On the subject of a successor, Manfred said, “I’m sure the selection process is gonna look like it looked the last time. There will be a committee of owners that will be put together, and they’ll identify candidates, (there will) be an interview process, and ultimately someone or a slate of people will be put forward.”
Manfred’s Legacy
Manfred has served as MLB’s commissioner since 2015, taking over after the controversial 23-year tenure of Bud Selig. In the two years prior, he held the high-ranking position of MLB’s Chief Operating Officer. This made him appear a safe choice for the owners as Selig’s successor.
As the first commissioner to begin his tenure after the steroid era, Manfred’s legacy includes tackling a different slate of issues within the game. For example, several rules regarding the pace of play were instituted in the Manfred era. It began with limiting mound visits and allowing for no-pitch intentional walks. Then, more substantial changes took hold, most notably the introduction of the pitch clock last season. This greatly reduced average game times from previous seasons, and most of the concern about its potential disruption of the game soon abated.
Perhaps the biggest controversy Manfred has faced was his handling of the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal. Not only did Houston retain their 2017 World Series title, but they faced minimal punishment otherwise. Most notably, no players received suspensions.
Most commissioners, not just in baseball but in any sport, tend to leave mixed legacies. Manfred has five years to go, but when all is said and done, he should be no exception. Whoever succeeds him will likely be both lauded and criticized as well. No matter how effective or not someone is at the job, it seems to come with the territory.
Photo Credit: © Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
