Rob Manfred Got Booed Mercilessly at the MLB Draft, and Fans Had Jokes

The oft-criticized commissioner of baseball was an easy target at this year’s draft.

As the commissioner of MLB, Rob Manfred often finds himself as an unpopular figure among the baseball-viewing public. So with a high-profile, public event in the 2023 MLB draft taking place on Sunday, the opportunity was set for fans to make their voices heard.

And pick after pick, that’s exactly what they did.

As Manfred took the stage throughout Sunday’s first round, fans on hand at Lumen Field in Seattle let the boo birds rain down, making it quite clear how they felt about him throughout the night. The 64-year-old—who’s held the position since 2015—seemed unfazed by the not-so-warm reception, maintaining his focus on the task at hand.

Rob Manfred booed to begin the #MLBDraft in Seattle. ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/PkIKUsBnsZ

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 9, 2023

The three-day draft got underway with the Pirates holding the first pick for the second time in three years. Pittsburgh opted for right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes from LSU, who was the Most Outstanding Player at the College World Series.

Though Manfred appeared to keep his composure in the face of all the boos, fans watching the broadcast had a lot to say about the scene on social media. Check out the best reactions of the bunch below.

I love that Manfred is booed every single time he goes to the podium. He's like a cartoon villain. All he needs is a mustache that he can twirl. pic.twitter.com/MsCLjA4rej

— eugenefreedman.bsky.social (@EugeneFreedman) July 9, 2023

Manfred: “good evening”

People: “booooo”

Manfred: “it’s time for the draft”

People: “yayyyyy”

— KingofJUCO (@KingofJUCO) July 9, 2023

The boos for Rob Manfred are fueling my soul

— Melissa Lockard (@melissalockard) July 9, 2023

While the Oakland Athletics took SS Jacob Wilson of Grand Canyon University with the 6th pick, fans chant at Commissioner Rob Manfred,

“SELL THE TEAM!” and “STAY IN OAKLAND!” pic.twitter.com/7b2yr0HZsb

— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) July 9, 2023

booing manfred is good and right

— Seize the means of run production (@sydrpfp) July 9, 2023

love listening to rob manfred trying to imitate how human beings talk

— green man (@real_green_man) July 10, 2023

Bucket list item: booed Rob Manfred in person ✅

— Glizzy McGuire (@BrittneyBush) July 9, 2023

Part of me hoped that Rob Manfred would go full heel and have the fake slip and call them the Las Vegas Athletics when announcing the pick. .

— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) July 9, 2023