Blue Jays’ Kevin Gausman takes swipe at MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman made headlines on Tuesday when he took a swipe at MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred during a discussion about marketing the sport through starting pitchers. Gausman urged his followers not to believe what Manfred had to say about the importance of starting pitching in the game.
In a tweet, Gausman wrote, “Don’t believe a word this man says. Get ready for 6 innings you get to keep the DH, if not a fan hits in their spot.” This jab came in response to recent discussions about implementing the “golden at-bat” rule, which would allow teams to select one batter per game to hit, regardless of their spot in the batting order.
Manfred, speaking on the “Questions for Cancer” podcast, expressed his thoughts on the issue of starting pitchers not going deep into games. He mentioned that he did not believe a minimum inning requirement for starting pitchers would be an effective solution. Instead, he suggested that rules should be developed to create incentives for teams to develop pitchers who can go deeper into games.
The MLB commissioner emphasized the importance of starting pitchers in marketing the game, noting that historically, matchups between great starting pitchers have been crucial in promoting the sport. He highlighted the need for rules surrounding transactions and roster management to encourage clubs to develop pitchers who can go deeper into games.
According to CBS Sports, the average inning per start rate in the 2024 season was 5.2, which is more than an inning lower than it was in 1984. Gausman, who led the majors with two complete games and one shutout in 2024, completed at least seven innings of work in eight of his starts.
As the debate over the role of starting pitchers in baseball continues, Gausman’s criticism of Manfred’s comments adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing discussion. It remains to be seen how the MLB will address the issue of starting pitching and whether any changes will be implemented to incentivize teams to develop pitchers who can go deeper into games.
