According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, Rob Manfred will become MLB’s new commissioner when Bud Selig steps down following the 2014 season.
Manfred is new commissioner. #MLB
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 14, 2014
This isn’t too much of a surprise. Boston Red Sox co-owner Tom Werner was Manfred’s biggest competition for the gig, but he was dropped from the voting earlier in the day after not receiving enough votes to move on to the next stage of the balloting. At that point, MLB owners had to cast either an up or down vote on Manfred. According to Heyman, he has received the necessary votes to become the next commissioner.
Manfred is currently MLB’s chief operating officer and has long been thought of as a favorite to succeed Selig, who had thrown his support behind the executive. There was some push back from owners around the league, as Manfred’s tenure, which will start next year, could be seen as nothing more than an extension of Selig’s term.
At the end of the day, all 30 MLB owners voted in favor of Manfred.
Selig will leave office as the second-longest tenured commissioner behind only Kenesaw Mountain Landis.
Photo: Zimbio.com