Baseball World Reacts to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred Canceling Games

After the commissioner announced he would be canceling regular season games, players from around the league did not hold back their disdain.

After MLB‘s owners and players could not come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement ahead of the league‘s Tuesday afternoon deadline, commissioner Rob Manfred announced he would be canceling the first week of regular season games. Unsurprisingly, players from around the league did not hold back their frustration.

Many big-name players took to social media to rip Manfred and the league for allowing the standoff to reach this point. After nine days of meeting in Florida, the players have since left the state, and it‘s unclear when the two sides will meet again to continue negotiations.

"I am going to cancel some regular season games."

–– MLB Commissioner, Rob Manfred pic.twitter.com/I15H1RBEHf

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 1, 2022

”We worked hard to avoid an outcome that‘s bad for our fans, bad for our players and bad for our clubs,” Manfred said. ”I want to assure our fans that our failure to reach an agreement was not due to a lack of effort by either party.”

Manfred‘s words and the owners' negotiation strategies have clearly only caused the rift between the league and its players to grow, casting a pall over the immediate and long-term future of the sport. Check out some of the standout responses from the baseball world around social media.

Bc outside of the players taking a deal that isn’t much different than the previous CBA, this is what he wanted. Fewer games means lower payroll. Team’s worst month financially is… guess what?… APRIL. The money lost will be made up in the expanded playoff system. https://t.co/I4BRDqMqB6

— Will Middlebrooks (@middlebrooks) March 1, 2022

Manfred gotta go.

— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) March 1, 2022

"Why don't you just go HOME? That's your HOME! ANSWER ME!!!!" https://t.co/isjNQOkxrn

— Noah Syndergaard (@Noahsyndergaard) March 1, 2022

This dude is lying to the public. They literally went quite on us for 43 days and say they “negotiated” in good faith.

— . (@dusgar13) March 1, 2022

Caleb and I will be ready whenever the call comes. Hope this brings a smile to some who might be disappointed right now. Baseball is still awesome. Was watching little league yesterday. Awesome! Been practicing with high school kids. Awesome! Baseball isn't the problem. pic.twitter.com/uzJNUacEaV

— Adam Wainwright (@UncleCharlie50) March 1, 2022

MLB/MLBPA negotiations when they were “Almost at 3rd base” pic.twitter.com/rlaie7GW66

— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) March 1, 2022

This is just sad @MLBPA @MLB

— Jonathan India (@JonathanIndia) March 1, 2022

PAIN.

— Triston “I’m not gonna lie” McKenzie (bluecheck) (@T_eazy24) March 1, 2022

i think it might be time to apply for that mcdonald's job everybody said i'd be working

— Clint Frazier (@clintfrazier) March 1, 2022

This was SOOOOOO easily avoidable, so easy…..That’s what makes this even more frustrating 🙄🙄. Sad day for the sport. pic.twitter.com/AY4KeVGlWh

— Travis Shaw (@travis_shaw21) March 1, 2022

this is just another episode of succession

— Jack Flaherty (@jflare_) March 1, 2022

Smh this 💩 Is ridiculous 🤦🏾‍♂️

— Shed Long Jr. (@SLONG895) March 1, 2022

To the fans we will miss you most. To the younger generation of baseball players, this is for you.

— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) March 1, 2022