Baseball fans around the nation are in an uproar after commissioner Rob Manfred announced on Tuesday that the MLB will be canceling Opening Day. A total of 91 games were erased from the MLB schedule. After nine straight days of negotiations, the owners and players were unable to agree on a contract to replace the bargaining agreement that expired December 1 of last year. Manfred also notes that there are no plans for negotiations at this time and that players will not be played for these canceled games.
During the news conference Tuesday night, Union chief Tony Clark gave us some insight: “Players want to play; everyone knows that. But the reason we are not playing is simple: A lockout is the ultimate economic weapon. In a $10 billion industry, the owners have made a conscious decision to use this weapon against the greatest asset they have: the players. But the group won’t be intimidated. I’ve seen more unity over the last few years than at any time in our recent history.”
Tuesday night, Manfred announced the disappointing news that got a response from the MLBPA:
“Rob Manfred and MLB’s owners have canceled the start of the season. “Players and fans around the world who love baseball are disgusted, but sadly not surprised.
“From the beginning of these negotiations, Players’ objectives have been consistent — to promote competition, provide fair compensation for young Players, and to uphold the integrity of our market system. Against the backdrop of growing revenues and record profits, we are seeking nothing more than a fair agreement.
“What Rob Manfred characterized as a ‘defensive lockout’ is, in fact, the culmination of a decades-long attempt by owners to break our Player fraternity. As in the past, this effort will fail. We are united and committed to negotiating a fair deal that will improve the sport for Players, fans and everyone who loves our game.”
The union also reassures fans that it will push for games to be rescheduled and an agreement be reached, but baseball players around the states are not happy.
Chicago Cubs pitcher Marcus Stroman tweets, “Manfred gotta go.”
The majority of disapproval was pointed at Manfred, who was seen laughing at the press conference Tuesday night.
Los Angeles pitcher Michael Lorenzen points this out in his tweet: “Have no clue how he has the ability to laugh about anything right now. Mind is blown.”
This is not the first time that games have been canceled within the past three years. MLB players have seen some of the shortest seasons in MLB history due to the COVID pandemic and regulations and this recent labor dispute.
“This is not just about shifting pieces of the pie around,” a free-agent pitcher named Andrew Miller says. “This is about getting the game that we love to work and operate effectively and perform and let us focus on what we like to do.”
