Rob Manfred’s first eight years as the MLB commissioner was no easy boat ride. It was marked by turbulence, quarrels with unions, and clashes with minor league power. He was known for his fiery public defenses, a tried-and-true tactic during his days as a labor lawyer. But now as he enters his second decade in the office, there is a sudden calmness in his position and he doesn’t operate with a chip on his shoulder anymore.

The change, according to Manfred, stems from various things, from time, experience, and even a little media training. But he admits to the Athletic that there is another big reason for the change: success. Surprisingly, a decision that was one of the most controversial and talked about reforms he got, is now known to be his biggest achievement. Yes, it is indeed the pitch clock! And even though he isn’t one to talk about his past bold decisions, he did so this time.

Manfred’s take on the controversial pitch clock

The pitch clock, when introduced, was unthinkable, because why change the sport when it is good? But for Manfred, it became a mission to revolutionize the game. Well, if you wondered why he took this huge step without thinking, he just answered it for everyone speaking to the Athletic. “I had come to the conclusion in my own mind that whatever change you make, there are going to be people who call it heresy, so you can’t make decisions based on that,” Manfred said about his thought process about the bold move.

The pitch clock was introduced two years ago, and it was meant to address one big concern in baseball—its pace. Before, games dragged on with drawn-out pauses between pitches. Now it’s a trimmed-down version of 2 hours and 40 minutes on average. Players and even fans have adapted to this. And while some raised questions, Manfred’s vision did work—attendance rose for the first time in over a decade. It signals a newfound love and energy for the game.

The clock’s incoming has also drowned in comparisons to historic milestones from the introduction of DH to the adoption of the foul strike rule. However, for Rob Manfred, the decision was less about tradition and more about sustainability. He said, “What we really did need was something that was firm and prescriptive and had durability.” And in eight words, he confessed, “And the clock seemed like the only thing I could come up with.”

Now even folks like baseball historian John Thorn have come out in support of the clock, saying it’s been transformative. He said, “The pitch clock returned the game to its ancient roots and rhythms.” Well, Manfred sure does know how to balance tradition with innovation. Love it or hate it, the clock changed the game and also Manfred’s legacy.

Rob Manfred never wanted to be in the baseball world!

Rob Manfred may be the epitome of change right now in MLB. But did you know this was not the path he envisioned for himself? He never wanted to become a CEO, let alone steer the future of America’s pastime. His roots were in Rome, New York, a small factory town that stepped into labor relations. So from a young age, Manfred developed a huge interest in debate. He was drawn to unions and management, and his father ran a unionized factory. His mother was also a member of the teachers’ union, so he had his idol quite literally in front.

However, he chose a law career, and he picked a Washington, DC, law firm that specialized in the field. MLB was a client, so he began working with MLB as an outside counsel. However, he turned down their offer twice for a full-time role. Later he gave in and accepted the role in 1998. And he said he followed the advice his father gave him, “Don’t worry about the next job, because if you do your current job well, the next will take care of itself.”

He also mentioned he never thought he would be on the commission. But here he is leading the game and making profound changes. It proves that sometimes the best outcomes come from unexpected paths.

Also, what do you think about the pitch clock? Let us know your thoughts!