If Rob Manfred has ever wanted to attend Northwoods League matches, he’s run out of options.
The MLB commissioner has been hit with bans by the Kalamazoo Growlers and Bismark Larks, according to a statement released by the Summer Collegiate Teams this week.
“The Growlers are committed to using fun to make a difference, and Rob Manfred has shown his commitment to the opposite,” the Growlers said. in a statement on social media Friday. “In the midst of the MLB lockout, Manfred and the MLB team owners showed only interest in money and did not provide baseball for their players and fans. They are trying to ruin baseball simply for financial gain.
MLB canceled the first week of regular-season games as players and owners still haven’t agreed on the parameters of the luxury tax or how stretched the playoffs will be.
“The Growlers look forward to continuing to grow the game of baseball through having fun and putting fans first,” the team concluded in its statement. “The team can’t wait to see you at the ballpark this summer…but not Rob Manfred.”
The Growlers’ stance echoes that of the Larks on Thursday – although Bismarck appears set to review Manfred’s status once the lockdown ends.
“The Bismarck Larks believe in using FUN to make a difference in the community,” the team wrote in a statement posted on Twitter. “Since the MLB lockdown began on December 2, 2021, it has been clear that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred hates baseball and hates FUN.
“We are officially announcing that we are banning Manfred from Larks games until the lockdown is resolved.”
