Report: Top Baseball Reporter Fired by MLB After Criticism of Commissioner

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and Fox Sports was told he would not be brought back to MLB Network. Rosenthal, a noted and respected reporter, had been with MLB Network for 12 years prior to his dismissal.

The New York Post reports that the reason Rosenthal was not brought back was due to his criticism over MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's handling of the COVID-19 situation during the shortened 2020 MLB season.

This is just one more action that Manfred has taken that will upset baseball fans. He has received criticism for his handling of the largest team-organized cheating scandal in MLB history when the Houston Astros stole signs using advanced technology.

Additionally, his handling of the use of different baseballs over the course of seasons, the "sticky stuff" rule debacle in 2021, and now this, just go to show that Manfred is in complete control of every facet of the league.

However, Rosenthal was more than professional in accepting the news with this statement released on his personal Twitter account.

Can confirm MLB Network has decided not to bring me back. I’m grateful for the more than 12 years I spent there, and my enduring friendships with on-air personalities, producers and staff. I always strove to maintain my journalistic integrity, and my work reflects that. 1/2
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 4, 2022

Nothing else is changing for me professionally. I am proud to remain part of the great teams at The Athletic and Fox Sports. 2/2
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 4, 2022

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