It might be a different sport, but Rob Manfred was getting dunked on all Tuesday afternoon.
MLB owners bear most of the blame for the loss of games this upcoming season — well, if one ever takes place — and the players are letting it be known that they are disappointed with the league’s commissioner and the process that led to this point.
The MLB Players Association released a brutal statement condemning the outcome of negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. It put the blame squarely on the league and claimed that the owners’ goal is to break the union:
Statement from the Major League Baseball Players Association: pic.twitter.com/rmpciPsQm4
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) March 1, 2022
The MLBPA’s statement in full:
Rob Manfred and MLB’s owners have cancelled 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.
MORE: MLB lockout news and updates
Players have reinforced the idea that they’re ready to play and stay at the negotiating table to get a deal done, but talks are stalled for the time being.
Needless to say, the scathing statement was representative of a lot of the players’ emotions and feelings Tuesday. Plenty of players made their distaste for the day’s proceedings and the negotiations and the commissioner known on the tweet machine:
Manfred gotta go.
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) March 1, 2022
Someone is happy. It’s been the agenda the whole time https://t.co/gcfv8VJfl6
— GarvSauce (@MitchGarver) March 1, 2022
This dude is lying to the public. They literally went quite on us for 43 days and say they “negotiated” in good faith.
— Dustin Garneau (@dusgar13) March 1, 2022
Ahh yes. “The Union has struck a different note today.” Of course.
Just another tactic trying to control the narrative. Same thing we have already seen over and over. Nothing new here. https://t.co/UYBCQqbQM4— James McCann (@McCannon33) March 1, 2022
Wish MLB would use some of their PR tactics to promote the stars in our game! pic.twitter.com/Iktd7PqReh
— Kevin Pillar (@KPILLAR4) March 1, 2022
Smh this 💩 Is ridiculous 🤦🏾♂️
— Shed Long Jr. (@SLONG895) March 1, 2022
i think it might be time to apply for that mcdonald’s job everybody said i’d be working
— Clint Frazier (@clintfrazier) March 1, 2022
Considering becoming a barista https://t.co/YgOKuZben4
— Ian Happ (@ihapp_1) March 1, 2022
Talks are expected to continue this week, but if Tuesday’s acrimony is any indicator, we may be without the sweet sounds of baseball for a long, long time.