Sports

Manfred Understands Why Minority Interviews Skipped

Published

11 years ago

May 22, 2015

Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred listens during a press conference after his first owners’ meeting as baseball commissioner, Thursday, May 21, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

RONALD BLUM, AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — New baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said he understands why the Milwaukee Brewers and Miami Marlins did not interview any minority candidates when they hired new managers this month.

Then-Commissioner Bud Selig told teams in April 1999 they had to consider minorities when hiring a manager, GM, assistant GM, director of player development or director of scouting.

Milwaukee replaced Ron Roenicke with Craig Counsell, and Miami general manager Dan Jennings took over from Mike Redmond.

Manfred said the rule is difficult to apply to in-season changes “because time obviously is of the essence.”

“If a club has an internal candidate that they’re so sure about that they’re willing to forgo the opportunity to interview anyone, forcing people through an interview process doesn’t really make a lot of sense,” Manfred said Thursday following his first owners’ meeting since replacing Selig as commissioner in January.

“Everyone who has that sort of rule has over time realized there are situations in which either because of timing, exigencies or a decision that’s already made, that you have to be realistic in terms of the enforcement,” he said.

MLB managers identifying as a racial minority dropped from 10 in 2009 to five in 2014 to two this year, according to Richard Lapchick’s Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida. There were four people of color in GMs spots, up one from last year and one below the high in 2009 and ’10.

“I think we also have some ideas that we’re working on that go beyond that rule,” Manfred said, “providing additional support for candidates in terms of not only getting an interview, but getting a job.”

SHORTENING SCHEDULE

While there has been talk of shortening the regular-season schedule from 162 games, it is too early to tell whether the clubs will propose it in bargaining with players.

“A 154-game schedule is a huge economic issue,” Manfred said. “It would require a lot of analysis before we would we would be prepared to bargain on a topic like that.”

PACE OF GAME

The average time of a nine-inning game has dropped to 2 hours, 54 minutes through Wednesday, down from 3:02 through a similar period last year, according to STATS. That follows several initiatives implemented by MLB and the players’ union, such as clocks for between-inning breaks and pitching changes, and requiring hitters to keep a foot in the batter’s box in many instances.

“We are very encouraged by early returns,” Manfred said. “We’d like to hold that number. That’s the trick now.”

OFFENSE DROP

MLB remains concerned about the drop in offense but is not ready to suggest rules changes. Average runs per team per game have remained at 4.2 and the batting average at .251, STATS said.

“We’re looking for another year of data, at least,” Manfred said. “Realistically, that’s an end-of-the-year evaluation.”

He also said changing the strike zone “was not something that was discussed at any length.”

EXPANSION

While he doesn’t “see expansion as a hot topic” now, it is possible it could be considered in five-to-10 years. “When the game grows, expansion becomes a topic,” he said. MLB is interested in a greater presence in Canada and Mexico, “but in terms of actual tactics and execution, we’re just not there yet.”

CUBAN SIGNINGS

The restraints on international signings of amateur players under 23, put in place in the current labor contract that started in 2012, have not worked the way MLB expected. “I think that the increased flow of talent from Cuba has stressed that system, and it hasn’t done as well in response to that stress,” Manfred said.

DRUG TESTS

MLB still is investigating positive tests for Stanozolol that resulted in suspensions for pitchers Ervin Santana, Jenrry Mejia, Arodys Vizcaino and Andrew McKirahan.

“Whenever we see a pattern like that, we do everything we can to figure out whether there’s a connection, whether it’s a pattern, whether it’s a coincidence. We’re just not at a point in that process that I can give you a good answer to that question,” he said.

DEAL APPROVED

Owners approved MLB’s four-year contract with the DISH Network.

CHANGES

Manfred staged the owners’ dinner at the Four Seasons restaurant rather than 21. He had ESPN President John Skipper speak to the group Wednesday.

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

1 week ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

7 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

10 months ago

February 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.