MLB, MLBPA look to avoid domestic abuse firestorm

Aug 14, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Newly elected commissioner of baseball Rob Manfred speaks at a press conference after being elected by team owners to be the next commissioner of Major League Baseball. At left is MLB commissioner Bud Selig. Mandatory Credit: H.Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports

It’s not exactly a pleasant time, if you’re NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.  MLB boss Bud Selig, and incoming commissioner Rob Manfred certainly do not want the same bad publicity to rain down on their league like it is their football colleagues.  Selig told Bob Nigtengale of USA Today yesterday that the league and the players union plan to meet to discuss their policy regarding domestic abuse in the coming week  The aim of this meeting is to establish a set of parameters for how players involved in domestic violence can be punished by the league.

In light of the recent spate of violent incidents involving NFL players, the league adopted a 6 game suspension upon the first offense, and a lifetime ban for a repeat incident.  A comparable punishment during the MLB season would be  about a 60 game suspension, but it remains to be seen if the league wishes to take such a bold stance considering there have been no recent incidents involving MLB players.  But, it is in the league’s interest to be proactive regarding this very serious issue rather than take the reactive stance the NFL has.

For MLB, this action is likely motivated by their will to protect their own business interests, as a public relations nightmare like the NFL is currently mired in would be horrible for their bottom line.  It’s a callous thought, but that’s simply how massive corporate interests work.  That isn’t to say that protection of the welfare of the players and their families isn’t of any importance, because it surely is, but to think that it is the undisputed top priority would be naive.

As Nigtengale points out, one former MLB General Manager put the divorce rate for players in the league at about 90%.  With the extensive time away from families, and the existence of “road rules”, it doesn’t seem too far-fetched that the rate would be that high.  If MLB can recognize a potential problem before it becomes a topic being discussed on every news program in the country, it will serve them well to get out in front of it.  The league can use its reach to build anti-domestic violence campaigns, much like they have for cancer research.

The hope here is that MLB can use a very negative situation, and not only prevent it from happening in baseball, but perhaps even turn it into a positive to create awareness about domestic abuse and how to prevent it.  It looks bad right now, and the NFL is far from outrunning their problems, but MLB is in a good position to take a strong stand, perform some good, and assure they’ll do well.