With spring training in full swing, MLB players hope for 'more positivity toward the game' from commissioner Rob Manfred

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Rob Manfred made a startling admission while announcing the end of baseball's bitter labor battle last week: He's failed in his role as a diplomat to players.

Charlie Morton, the famously polite Atlanta Braves starter, almost laughed when he was told about the acknowledgement.

Morton asked if the commissioner said that.

He did. What can he do to prove that he is sincere about mending this marriage?

One of the things that I am supposed to do is promote a good relationship with our players. I don't think I've been successful in that.

It is one point that both players and Manfred agree on.

The pitcher for the St. Louis Cards said that the Commissioner doesn't do anything for them. That is just how it looks from a player's perspective.

It may be hard for fans to remember, but player relations was once a specialty. He was elected commissioner by Major League Baseball's 30 owners in 2014, partly because of his record of maintaining labor peace over more than a decade as the league's lead negotiator.

There were cracks in that foundation. Free agency slowed after the sport's collective bargaining agreement was signed. Home runs spiked after a change to the baseballs. In defending his investigation, he referred to the World Series trophy as a piece of metal, and apologized days later.

The relationship was fractured by a clash over the terms of the 2020 season. The sides agreed to end the winter's labor dispute just in time to preserve the regular season.

The way he speaks publicly, especially about the game, is one of the things that players have ideas on where he can improve.

There was a lot of anger towards the piece of metal, Tyler Glasnow said.

The Stanley Cup, the NBA trophy, or the Lombardi Trophy is not a joke to those guys. I don't hear their Commissioners saying that.

Two weeks ago, at a news conference to announce the cancellation of opening day due to the lockout, Manfred made players and fans angry by joking and laughing with reporters.

The deal didn't get done two weeks ago, but he is laughing or smiling.

The New York Yankees relief pitcher, a member of the players association's executive subcommittee, said that it was more positive for the game and players.

Some players were encouraged by the vow to strengthen the bond between management and players. The healing process began with a phone call to Tony Clark, the union leader, shortly after a deal was reached. Clark said he responded and suggested to him that there was a lot of work to be done in regards to where the game is at and where it needs to head.

For him to come out and say something like that is encouraging.

Several players expressed sympathy for him. The commissioner is expected to present himself as a steward of the game, but his actual job is to represent the interests of 30 owners.

He has to make sure he watches out for those guys.

Nobody always says the right thing.

I think he probably regrets some of the things he said. I will say something I don't want to.

In the end, the Lockout ended in time to preserve a full season.

Braves pitcher Tyler Matzek said that it was his job to get a deal done. We did not miss any games, so you kind of tip your cap to him.

He thinks his job is probably very hard.

Morton agreed with that sentiment. Morton, a former union team representative who has played for five clubs entering his 15th season, noted that the complicated dynamic between players, their union, and team owners was inevitable.

He thinks that the latter could be crucial to healing the sport's wounds. Morton has been with teams that have their owners available. He has been on clubs where the boss is rarely seen. Face time between owners and players is important.

Morton said that it can normalize the relationship and lead to dialogue.

In an interview with the sports network last week, after the agreement, baseball commissioner Rob Manfred focused on the season and the road ahead.

He said that the relationship is not dictated by what we are bargaining about. There is a huge opportunity in front of us. I want to take advantage of it.

Morton was encouraged by the confession of Manfred. He hopes that there is a connection there. He believes there is a straightforward solution to the dynamic relationship with many sides.

If he feels that way, I don't see how that would be a bad thing. I don't know.

The report was contributed to by the Associated Press.