Cody Decker applauds Rob Manfred for moving baseball forward on STTP podcast

In recent years, we have seen several significant rule changes implemented by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred which have changed the game of baseball significantly. And while Manfred is far from the most popular league commissioner around, former MLB player turned radio host Cody Decker recently took some time to acknowledge the work that he has done.

Whether it be the pitch clock to speed up the game, larger bases to allow speedy base runners to be a factor, or a DH position for both leagues, Manfred has made it a point to make the sport more enjoyable.

During a recent appearance on the Short and to the Point podcast with Jessica Kleinschmidt, Decker acknowledged that Manfred has done some good recently to make baseball more enjoyable for the average fan.

“Major League Baseball has always been scared of peeling back the curtain,” said Decker. “I’ve never been entirely certain why. Whether it’s the old-schoolness of baseball… Because baseball is more married to its record books than any other sport. It’s just the way it is. Baseball is just old stuffy dudes who don’t want to move forward. That’s why I applaud Rob Manfred. I applaud Major League Baseball and what they’ve done these last seven years.

“Rob Manfred was maligned by everyone for what seemed like his first seven years as the commissioner of the game. For the last three years, this guy has been, for the lack of a better term, knocking it out of the park. Every rule change has benefitted the game. Every aspect that’s taking place. Ever since the last CBA, it seems like Rob Manfred has been on good guy duty ever since. Hell, he has sold me, it’s working.”

When asked about why Manfred is so unfavorable in the eyes of many MLB fans, Decker did raise several things that he has made missteps on in his opinion, including past CBAs and once devaluing the Commissioner’s Trophy awarded to the World Series Champion by calling it a “piece of metal .”

However, Decker shared that the important parts of Manfred’s job are currently being nailed, which is all you can ask of any commissioner.

“At the end of the day, you’re a union head chief for the owners,” Decker added on Manfred’s job. “That’s what the job really is. He’s making the owners a lot of money. And now the players are making a lot of money. And baseball is making a lot of money. If everyone is profitable, then Rob Manfred is doing a hell of a job.

“Baseball right now is a better viewing product than it has been my entire life. The World Baseball Classic, that last classic was a resounding success. That’s Rob Manfred. The National League DH is a resounding success. That’s Rob Manfred. The pitch clock is a resounding success, Rob Manfred. The guy deserves his flowers. I get what everybody is saying on the past things. But you cannot deny that he is crushing it as of late.”

Short and to the Point with Jessica Kleinschmidt is available on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , and wherever you get your podcasts.

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