Tarrytown resident Rob Manfred just landed himself the highest-ranking executive position in baseball—as the MLB’s newly elected commissioner.
Manfred, who worked for 15 years as executive vice president for Economics and League Affairs, and most recently served as MLB’s COO, will succeed Bud Selig as the league’s 10th commissioner in history. The Westchester resident was up against Boston Red Sox part-owner Tom Werner for the position, but was able to secure a unanimous vote from baseball’s 30 owners. MLB’s executive vice president of business, Tim Brosnan, was a third candidate, but dropped out just before the ballots began.
During his years serving as MLB’s chief labor negotiator, Manfred made three consecutive collective bargaining agreements with the players union without a work stoppage, which was an unprecedented accomplishment, according to USA Today. He also focused his efforts on baseball’s drug testing program, helping lead negotiations for the league’s first joint drug agreement, which was established in 2002.
With Manfred’s promotion, Westchester County now has connections to three of the four major pro sports’ commissioners: baseball, basketball, and football. Adam Silver, who grew up in Rye, began his position as NBA commissioner in February of this year, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has been a longtime resident of Bronxville, according to LoHud.
Manfred will begin his term as commissioner in January 2015.
