Commissioner of Baseball

Commissioner of Baseball is the chief executive of Major League Baseball (MLB) and possesses broad authority over the sport. The position was created in 1920 in response to the Black Sox Scandal to restore public confidence in the game's integrity. The Commissioner operates from the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball, headquartered in New York City, and acts as the final authority on all matters pertaining to the league, its umpires, and its 30 club owners.

History

The office was established by a Major League agreement among the National League and American League team owners following the 1919 World Series scandal involving the Chicago White Sox. The first Commissioner, federal judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, was appointed in 1920 and given sweeping powers to act "in the best interests of Baseball." Landis's authoritarian reign, which included the lifetime banishment of the eight Chicago White Sox players, set a powerful precedent for the office's autonomy. Subsequent commissioners like Happy Chandler, Ford Frick, Bowie Kuhn, and Peter Ueberroth navigated periods of expansion, labor strife, and significant cultural change, with the role evolving from a quasi-judicial overseer to the CEO of a multi-billion dollar global sports enterprise.

Powers and duties

The Commissioner's powers are derived from the Major League Baseball Constitution and include the authority to investigate any act deemed "not in the best interests of Baseball." This "best interests" power allows for disciplinary actions against players, club personnel, and owners, including fines, suspensions, and lifetime bans. The office oversees umpiring, schedules, playing rules, and on-field operations, while also negotiating national broadcasting contracts with networks like ESPN and Fox. The Commissioner also presides over the Major League Baseball draft, approves player contracts, and has final say in matters of franchise relocation, such as the moves of the Montreal Expos to become the Washington Nationals and the Oakland Athletics planned relocation to Las Vegas.

List of Commissioners

Since the office's creation, there have been ten Commissioners of Baseball. Kenesaw Mountain Landis served from 1920 until his death in 1944, followed by Happy Chandler (1945-1951), Ford Frick (1951-1965), William Eckert (1965-1968), and Bowie Kuhn (1969-1984). Peter Ueberroth (1984-1989) was succeeded by Bart Giamatti, whose brief tenure in 1989 was notable for banning Pete Rose. Fay Vincent (1989-1992) was followed by Bud Selig, who served as acting commissioner from 1992 before being officially elected in 1998, serving until 2015. The current Commissioner, Rob Manfred, was elected in 2014 and began his term in January 2015.

Selection and term

The Commissioner is elected by a vote of the 30 MLB club owners, requiring at least 23 votes (a three-quarters majority) for election under the current constitution. The term is not fixed but is typically set by a multi-year employment contract, historically ranging from five to seven years, subject to renewal at the owners' discretion. There is no formal limit on the number of terms, as demonstrated by the lengthy tenures of Kenesaw Mountain Landis (24 years) and Bud Selig (over 22 years in total). The process is managed by an Owners' search committee, and candidates often come from backgrounds in law, business, or league administration.

Relationship with Major League Baseball

The Commissioner serves as the chief executive officer of the Major League Baseball enterprise, which includes the American League, National League, and Major League Baseball Advanced Media. The office works in concert with, but holds ultimate authority over, the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) in negotiating the Collective Bargaining Agreement that governs labor relations. The Commissioner also chairs the Major League Baseball Executive Council and oversees the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball, which houses departments for baseball operations, communications, and legal affairs. While representing the interests of the owners, the Commissioner is also charged with being a steward for the sport's integrity, a dual role that can create tension during labor disputes like the 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike.

Notable decisions and controversies

Commissioners have made many landmark and contentious rulings. Kenesaw Mountain Landis permanently banned Shoeless Joe Jackson and seven other Chicago White Sox players. Bowie Kuhn suspended George Steinbrenner and oversaw the introduction of the designated hitter in the American League. Bart Giamatti issued the lifetime ban of Cincinnati Reds manager Pete Rose for gambling. Bud Selig presided over the cancellation of the 1994 World Series, the introduction of interleague play and the Wild Card, and the league's response to the Mitchell Report on performance-enhancing drugs. Rob Manfred has faced scrutiny over handling of the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal, the lockout that delayed the 2022 Major League Baseball season, and ongoing negotiations for a new Oakland Athletics stadium.