Introduction to MLB Ban Ruling
Background of the Ruling
President Donald Trump’s support of Pete Rose was among the factors Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred weighed when he decided last month that permanent bans by the sport ended with death, which allows the career hits leader to be considered for the Hall of Fame.
Decision Announcement
Manfred announced the new interpretation on May 13, a decision that allows Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson to be considered for a Hall committee vote in December 2027.
Factors Influencing the Decision
“The president was one of a number of voices that was supportive of the idea that this was the right decision,” Manfred said Wednesday during a news conference at an owners meeting. “Obviously, I have respect for the office and the advice that he gave I paid attention to, but I had a lot of other people that were weighing in on the topic, as well.”
Historical Context of the Ban
Rose and then-Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti agreed to a permanent ban in August 1989 after an investigation commissioned by MLB concluded Rose repeatedly bet on the Reds as a player and manager for the team from 1985-87, a violation of a long-standing MLB rule. The Hall of Fame in 1991 decided people on the permanent banned list were ineligible for consideration.
Reaction to the Decision
“Those who really think about the reasons that I did it think that it is the right decision, and other people I think largely get confused with whether he’s going to be in the Hall of Fame or not and maybe don’t think that was so good,” Manfred said.
Robot Umpires
Computer technology to appeal ball/strike calls could be in place for the 2026 regular season. Manfred said use of the Automated Ball-Strike System was likely to be considered by the 11-man competition committee, which includes six management representatives.
Details on Robot Umpires Experiment
During a spring training experiment in 288 games, teams were successful on 52.2% of their ball/strike challenges using the Automated Ball-Strike System.
Future Plans for Robot Umpires
“I do think that we’re going to pursue the possibility of change in that process and we’ll see what comes out at the end of that,” he said. “The teams are really positive about ABS. I do have that unscientific system that I use: my email traffic. And my distinct impression is that using ABS in spring training has made people more prone to complain of balls and strike calls via email to me referencing the need for ABS.”
Checked-Swing Calls
An experiment with a technology system to challenge checked-swing calls started in the Class A Florida State League on May 20. That is not under consideration for MLB use in 2026.
Prioritization of ABS
“I think we’ve got to get over the hump in terms of either doing ABS or not doing it before you’d get into the complication of a separate kind of challenge,” Manfred said.
Baseball in 2028 Olympics
Baseball is returning to the Olympics in 2028 after being played from 1992 to 2008 and then in 2021.
Participation of Big League Players
MLB is considering whether to allow big league players to be used at the 2028 Games. It did not allow players on 40-man rosters to participate in the 2021 Olympics and many teams discouraged top eligible prospects from playing.
Progress on Olympics Participation
“We made some progress with LA 2028 in terms of what it could look like,” Manfred said. “We have some other business partners that we need to talk to about, changes that would need to be made in order to accommodate the Olympics. I think we’re going to go forward with that process.”
Support from Players’ Union
Manfred said the players’ union appears to be supportive.
Labor and Possible Salary Cap Proposal
A decision on MLB’s bargaining positions with the players’ association, including whether to propose a salary cap, will be made after this season. Bargaining is likely to start in the spring of 2026 for a successor to the five-year agreement with the union that ended a 99-day lockout on March 10, 2022. The deal expires on Dec. 1, 2026.
Economic Study Committee
An ownership economic study committee was formed in early 2023, sparking speculation about a renewed push for a salary-cap system aimed at decreasing payroll disparity.
Payroll Disparity
“Payroll disparity is such a fact of life among the ownership group that there’s not a lot of need for talking about whether we have it or not. Everybody kind of gets it,” Manfred said. “We understand that it has become a bigger problem for us, but there has not been a lot of conversation about that particular topic.”
Historical Context of Salary Cap Proposal
When MLB proposed a cap in 1994, players struck for 7 1/2 months in 1994 and ’95, leading to the first cancellation of the World Series since 1904.
Decision Timeline
“Obviously, over the winter we’re going to have to decide what is going to be out there from our perspective, but no decisions on that topic so far,” Manfred said.
Broadcasting
MLB hopes to reach a deal before the All-Star break on a Sunday night national broadcast package and for the Home Run Derby to replace the agreement ESPN said in February it was ending after this season. Manfred said MLB is negotiating with three parties and is weighing traditional broadcasters and streaming services, who may pay more but have a smaller audience.
Negotiation Strategy
Manfred regrets giving ESPN the right to opt out, which is causing a negotiation for rights lasting three seasons. MLB’s contracts with Fox and Turner end after the 2028 season.
Priority on Reach
“If you’re talking about what we’re doing for the next three years, I would overweight reach,” Manfred said. “The larger negotiation we’ll have for the post-’28 period and we continue to believe that reach drives our live business.”
Tropicana Field Repair
Tampa Bay hopes to return to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, next season after playing home games this year across the bay at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the New York Yankees’ spring training home.
Repair Progress
The St. Petersburg City Council approved $22.5 million in April to repair the roof, destroyed by Hurricane Milton last Oct. 9. A new roof is being built in Germany and will be shipped to Florida.
Timeline for Completion
“Repair of the stadium is moving along. We remain optimistic that we will be ready either for opening day or very shortly thereafter,” Manfred said. “Obviously, the big contingency is what happens with hurricane season.”
Athletics Las Vegas Ballpark
A formal groundbreaking hasn’t taken place for the Athletics’ planned ballpark to open in 2028, though work is being done at the site and a ceremony could be held this month.
Construction Timeline
“My understanding is they believe they’re going to make opening day ’28,” Manfred said.
Attendance Up Slightly from 2024
Attendance averaged 28,081 through Tuesday and 900 dates, up 1.4% from 27,687 through the same point last year, when MLB finished with a 0.9% rise to 29,568 for its highest average since 30,042 in 2017. MLB could finish with an average increase in three straight years not impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic for the first time since 2004-07.
Tariffs on Baseballs
While MLB is not concerned about Trump administration tariffs raising the cost of big league baseballs, which are manufactured in Costa Rica, the impact on minor league balls is a concern.
Impact on Minor League Balls
“The minor league baseball is made in China. That’s more of an issue,” Manfred said.
Conclusion
The decision by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to end permanent bans with death has significant implications for the sport, particularly for legends like Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson. The support from President Donald Trump was among the voices Manfred considered. Other topics, such as robot umpires, the 2028 Olympics, labor negotiations, broadcasting rights, and stadium repairs, highlight the dynamic and evolving nature of Major League Baseball.
FAQs
Q: What was the basis for MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s decision regarding permanent bans?
A: The decision was influenced by various factors, including President Donald Trump’s support for Pete Rose.Q: What is the current status of robot umpires in MLB?
A: Computer technology for ball/strike calls could be in place for the 2026 regular season, with the Automated Ball-Strike System being considered.Q: Will big league players participate in the 2028 Olympics?
A: MLB is considering whether to allow big league players to participate in the 2028 Games, with discussions ongoing.Q: What is the situation with Tropicana Field repairs?
A: Repairs are moving along, with the hope that the stadium will be ready for the next season, pending the impact of hurricane season.- Q: How has attendance been for MLB games?
A: Attendance has seen a slight increase from 2024, averaging 28,081 through Tuesday and 900 dates, up 1.4% from the previous year.
