MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred sat down for an extensive interview with Bob Costas that aired on MLB Network last night. He touched on a variety of topics facing the game, including the status of Pete Rose. Fox has hired Rose as an analyst for the rest of the '15 season, and he is slated to make his debut this afternoon on FS1. Manfred said he had no issue with Fox hiring Rose, as that job "was not within ambit of the ruling that was made" regarding Rose's lifetime ban from the sport. Manfred: "They have the right to make a decision on talent, and they made that decision.” He also noted that he has spoken with Reds President & CEO Bob Castellini about Rose participating in this year's All-Star Game, which is being held in Cincinnati. Manfred said, "The most I’m prepared to say right now is he will have a role in the festivities.” Manfred did say gambling has damaged the game more than PED users, as gambling and the "prospect of gambling infecting the game is the most serious problem that faces the institution.” The following are some more excerpts from the interview:
* On shortening the regular season, Manfred said, “There is more conversation about 154 inside the game, thoughtful conversation, then at any point in the 25 years that I've been involved. Some of it is due to changes that have happened in the game, changes that have needed to be made, but 162 … is a real grind.” Manfred said there is "always a concern" the World Series could go into November with a 162-game schedule, adding, "We’re playing on dates that have to worry you depending on who makes the World Series.”
* Manfred said he is a "fan of the replay system." He added, "It was responsive to what fans wanted. Fans wanted us to use the available technology in order to get calls right, calls that matter to them, that matter in terms of the outcome of games." Manfred noted MLB will "continue to add calls at the margin, but I don’t think you’re going to see us go crazy in terms of trying to add every little thing into the replay."
* The league is "really pleased" with how the pace-of-play initiatives have gone so far this season. Manfred said, "The level of cooperation that we've gotten from the players has been really impressive. They seem to understand why we’re doing what we are doing, and I think they also respect the fact that we did it in a way that was designed not to affect their routines and the play of the game.”
* The current CBA expires after the '16 season, but Manfred said he is a "tremendous optimist when it comes to labor relations." He noted, "We’ve had really great outcomes the last three times, and I think we have the kind of relationship and the kind of quality thinking in the game that will allow us to address whatever the issues are in 2016 in a way that keeps the game on the field” ("Studio 42 with Bob Costas," MLB Network, 5/10).
