Manfred: Younger players will lead the way

Since he became Commissioner 15 months ago, Rob Manfred has stressed the importance of keeping the younger generation involved in baseball.

So it probably wasn’t a surprise that, while speaking with The Associated Press Sports Editors at Major League Baseball’s headquarters on Thursday, Manfred said he had no problem with bat flips and other outward displays of emotion that are becoming more common in the game.

Answering a question about recent criticism of Toronto’s Jose Bautista and Washington’s Bryce Harper by Hall of Famer Rich “Goose” Gossage, the Commissioner came down firmly on the side of current players.

“I think to the extent that you believe, and I actually do, that Bryce Harper is a spokesman for this generation, I suspect that you will see more exuberance from our players on the field,” Manfred said.

“I think it’s a good thing. I think that to the extent that you’re trying to market to a younger audience, our younger players taking control of the definition of those unwritten rules is a lot better than some guy who’s 67 years old saying, ‘I did it that way and you ought do it the same way.'”

Bautista made a memorable bat flip after hitting a three-run home run to put the Blue Jays ahead in the decisive Game 5 of last year’s American League Division Series victory against the Rangers. Harper has been outspoken in his opinion that showmanship is good for baseball.

Manfred noted that each generation of players must decide for itself what constitutes acceptable behavior …

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