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- The MLB Players Association has been locked out by the owners over the most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Rob Manfred announced today that the first two series of the regular season will now be cancelled as negotiations continue
- Read more MLB news here
The MLBPA and baseball owners have been at odds this offseason as they try to come to an agreement on the latest Collective Bargaining terms. The most recent deal from 2017 expired this year and negotiations on the future have been tense.
On Tuesday, the first domino fell.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has canceled the first two series of the regular-season. pic.twitter.com/1LSlMANTdG
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 1, 2022
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced this afternoon that the league will be cancelling the first two series of the regular season as the two sides have not been able to make a deal. Fans will now have to wait at least an extra week or so for this year’s Opening Day ceremonies.
Missing out on those first two series will shorten the 162-game season to around 155, and if terms can’t be met soon, more of the remaining slate could be in jeopardy.
The MLBPA gave its statement on the negotiations (or lack thereof) quickly after the announcement made headlines, saying that players are “disgusted, but not surprised” by the cancellations.
Statement from the Major League Baseball Players Association: pic.twitter.com/rmpciPsQm4
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) March 1, 2022
Manfred and the owners, meanwhile call this a defensive lockout, tabbing the Players Association as being confrontational in the latest meetings.
Social Media Reacts To MLB Lockout News And Rob Manfred Is The #1 Target
With the news hitting social media today, baseball followers have been quick to comment on the cancellations. Most blame the greedy owners as they were the ones to initiate the lockout in the first place.
It didn’t help the owners’ image to the public when Manfred was seen casually swinging his golf clubs amid negotiations earlier today rather than working to come to an agreement.
Congrats to the Atlanta Braves – the final World Series champions of all time.
— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) March 1, 2022
I would like to make a best and final offer of $100 to any Major League Baseball owner who wants to sell their team because it’s such a bad business
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) March 1, 2022
Major League Baseball is hands down one of the worst run leagues in the world.
— Sid Seixeiro (@Sid_Seixeiro) March 1, 2022
https://t.co/apQjIKrnXl pic.twitter.com/LZwS2LHxsy
— David Gardner (@byDavidGardner) March 1, 2022
https://twitter.com/matttadelphia/status/1498799755324964874
"We also listened to our fans."
– Rob Manfred, with a straight face
— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) March 1, 2022
How MLB fans feel right now pic.twitter.com/d8KdItWycr
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) March 1, 2022
the man who called the world series trophy “a piece of metal” smiling on a day when mlb cancels games pic.twitter.com/UpVgC74yyH
— Joon Lee (@joonlee) March 1, 2022
"The most toxic relationship I'm in is with Major League Baseball. … All baseball does is, breaks my heart."
—@AdamSchein on @MLB canceling Opening Day on March 31 and the first two series of the regular season pic.twitter.com/1iM16M2595
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) March 1, 2022
Others, meanwhile, might not hate the idea of a shorter season.
Am I the only person who doesn’t really care if the Major League Baseball season is less than 162 games? If they still play 120 or 140 games is anyone feeling that cheated? I’m not.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) March 1, 2022
Either way, it’s not a good look for the owners or the commissioner, especially considering the already toxic relationship they have with the players. Baseball has a way of self-sabotaging. Hopefully, it can get out of its own way with most of the 2022 season intact.