MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred sends a gift to every player
It would appear the league’s commissioner is attempting to rebuild relationships, the question is will it work?
As brand, Major League Baseball took a serious hit over the last few months with the lockout, now it seems the league is making an effort to rebuild.
MLB’s Rob Manfred is building bridges with headphones
After a heavily publicized and more over extremely contentious owner- imposed lockout, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred has made it clear that he would like to rebuild the now destroyed relationship with the league’s players. Indeed, Manfred has actually taken the first step towards that goal by sending all players a gift which they all received on Opening Day. The interesting thing about Manfred’s gift was that it had both a functional use and metaphorical value. What was it? Headphones.
That’s right! According to a post - see below - provided by Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic, each player received a gift box on Opening Day which contained both a pair of Bose headphones and a letter from Manfred himself. As for what the letter said, you can take a look below to see the original post as well as the transcribed text:
“As we get ready to start a new season, I wanted to take a moment to send a note of appreciation. Being a Major Leaguer is an extraordinary accomplishment that beyond your remarkable talent shows your dedication to this great game. Along with our clubs, I’m committed to working together with all players to grow the sport. I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and by working together, I know we can bring the game to new heights.”
“Please accept this gift as a small gesture of my appreciation for the hard work that comes with being a Major Leaguer and your respect for our incredible fans. Thank you for everything you do in a game that has such a rich history and deep meaning to our fans in the U.S. and around the world. Wishing you the best of luck for a successful season.”
Will Rob Manfred’s move work?
Its no surprise that the triangular relationship between the league’s players, Manfred and the franchise owners has been in a sad state for sometime now. Indeed, the lockout was really just the climax of years worth of conflict between the three parties. That the lockout lasted for 99 days and eventually delayed the season by a week is merely testament to the deep divides that exist between the three sides. Will this latest move by the commissioner work? Who knows, but if there is one thing that’s certain, for the time being the players can cancel out the noise.