The Rob Manfred era in Major League Baseball has been anything but predictable. Whether you love him or hate him, one thing is a fact—he has spent years trying to shake things up. Because once upon a time, America’s pastime was not getting the attention it deserved. The pitch clock? Controversial at first, but it made games fast and more watchable. Banning the shifts, ghost runners, and even now many more are still in the works.
Some have gotten great results, and some have gotten huge backlash too. But this time one thing most fans can agree on is that they appreciate MLB going global. Even MLB insider Dan Clark, who hasn’t been shy of admitting that he isn’t on the same page with Manfred every time, thinks the Tokyo Series is simply a masterstroke. “I am often critical of MLB’s Rob Manfred era, but I’ll also give him/his team credit when it’s due—having the Dodgers and Cubs, both containing Japanese superstars on their rosters, opening the season in Tokyo, is a brilliant move. This is huge,” said Dan Clark. And huge it was.
I am often critical of MLB’s Rob Manfred era, but I’ll also give him/his team credit when it’s due – having the Dodgers and Cubs, both containing Japanese superstars on their rosters, opening the season in Tokyo, is a brilliant move. This is huge.
— Dan Clark (@DanClarkSports) March 18, 2025
The 2025 season opened with a bang as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cubs faced off in Tokyo Dome. And fans were over the moon to witness an all-Japanese opening day, a pitching matchup between Shota Imanaga and Yoshibonu Yamamoto. Of course, Shohei Ohtani! The stadium was simply electric, and there were no two ways about it—it had to be epic.
Tokyo had Shohei Ohtani’s face plastered on every other billboard and building and in the hearts of all those who came to watch them play. Manfred himself called it the “biggest standalone international event.” In fact, he predicted that the Tokyo Series will be bringing in $35 million. Even Fox’s A.J. Pierzynski doubled down saying, “The spirit and the energy these fans bring is completely different than what it is in the United States. This is a huge moment, not only for these Japanese fans but for Major League Baseball.”
Manfred has warned that these global events will be regular, not a one-off. And maybe Korea can be the next stop in the coming season. Just highlights what a hit Tokyo has been! This is MLB following in the footsteps of major sports like Formula 1, the NBA, and more, who have successfully turned their sports into a global event. With social media, streaming, and international fan bases, sports are not bound in the home market only. With this Tokyo Series, MLB is entering another era, and if they have to thank one man for Tokyo, it’s for sure—the Sho!
Rob Manfred calls Los Angeles Dodgers the “Evil Empire”
Rob Manfred isn’t one to mince words, and recently he crowned the Los Angeles Dodgers as the evil empire in baseball. Now that title has been long held by the New York Yankees, but now the tides have shifted clearly. According to Manfred, LA’s deep pockets and their financial strategy make it dangerous. “They’re probably more profitable on a percentage basis than the old Yankees were, meaning it could be more sustainable, so it is more of a problem,” he said. And he isn’t wrong.
Los Angeles Dodgers has spent years building a powerhouse team, even after they won the championship. They added in Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, and Michael Conforto. They are building dynasties. But let’s be real, one name that has a lot to do with that growth is Shohei Ohtani. He isn’t just great at winning but is also a marketing juggernaut. Ohtani alone has brought in 11 sponsorship deals, and the merchandise sales have gone through the roof.
Remember how fans lined up to get his bobblehead? He is a global star, and the Dodgers are making full use of it. That is also a big reason why this opening is in Japan. There are three stars in the roster from the country, so a must-watch for Japanese fans. It’s a marketing dream, and MLB is leaning all in. And this is only the beginning; as Manfred mentioned, they want to return again.
Do you too think that the Dodgers are an evil empire right now? Let us know your thoughts.
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