GM of Tigers' Double-A Team Releases Strong Statement Against Rob Manfred for Minor League Plans
By Sean Facey
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred rocked the baseball world to its core when he revealed plans to possibly cut affiliations with 42 minor league teams. The announcement was met with fierce resistance from fans and players alike.
Even the executives of minor league teams are speaking out against it. General manager Greg Coleman of the Erie SeaWolves, the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and one of the teams that could possibly get cut, sent out a strong statement admonishing Manfred and his plans.
Please let @mlb and its sponsors know that creating irreparable damage to 42 @milb communities is not a viable strategy to grow baseball.#SaveHometownBaseball pic.twitter.com/3pIrxa3bHP
— Greg Coleman (@SeaWolvesGM) November 22, 2019
"For fans, this plan means less access to affordable fun and the baseball stars of tomorrow...For many communities, it will mean the end of professional baseball including the economic and civic benefits it brings."
Coleman's statement goes on to explain that plenty of teams have devoted millions of dollars to improving the fan experience at the minor league level, and that if the MLB were to act on its plans, it would spell doom for baseball across the country.
Manfred’s plan to destroy minor league baseball
— Billy Kaos (@billykaos) November 18, 2019
under direction of Commissioner Rob Manfred, @MLB negotiators are telling @MiLB counterparts, “the contraction plan is going through, no matter what.” In other words, it’s no longer negotiable.https://t.co/J46fDDIqvx
It's a strong pushback against the cost-cutting intentions of the league and it portrays just how much baseball means to countless communities. It's proof the love of baseball means more to the fans than the league's bottom line.
Whether Manfred will hear out the plight of MiLB, their teams, and their fans remains to be seen, but they're going to keep shouting regardless of whether or not he's listening.