Rob Manfred Butchered a College Name at the MLB Draft, and Fans Had Jokes
It probably isn’t easy being Rob Manfred. The MLB commissioner is tasked with leading professional baseball and has to constantly deal with boos and criticism—although it’s warranted at times. He made it a little too easy for baseball fans to come at him on Sunday during the 2023 MLB draft, when he completely butchered a school name in the first round.
Manfred walked up to the lectern at Lumen Field in Seattle to announce the Athletics’ pick at the No. 6 spot and slipped up.
“With the sixth pick of the 2023 MLB draft, the Oakland Athletics select Jacob Wilson: a shortstop from Grand Union University.”
There is no such thing as Grand Union University.
"With the 6th pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Oakland Athletics select Jacob Wilson, a SS from Grand Union University."
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 9, 2023
We're guessing the Commish doesn't get to Arizona that often. pic.twitter.com/3PuneQHHS3
Wilson, who is the son of former MLB All-Star shortstop Jack Wilson, is a star prospect out of Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. His father serves as an assistant baseball coach there.
Grand Union happens to be a supermarket chain with locations in New York and Vermont.
It’s unclear if there was a typo on the card or Manfred just completely botched the delivery, but baseball fans rarely pass up an opportunity to poke fun at the commissioner. Here’s what fans had to say about his latest blunder:
Did Rob Manfred just make up a new university? Grand Union University? @GCU_Baseball @Athletics #MLBDraft
— Chris McCabe (@PharmPhillies) July 9, 2023
Ah, yes. Grand Union University. Great job, Manfred. #MLBDraft
— Matt ???? (@MShadows17) July 9, 2023
Grand Union University ????
— Ben Upton (@Ben_Upton5) July 9, 2023
Nice one Manfred
Rob Manfred about to get an angry phone call from Jerry Colangelo for calling GCU “Grand Union University”
— Jody Oehler (@radiojody) July 9, 2023
"Grand Union University" manfred get off the stage
— Cartman (@cartmanCLE) July 9, 2023
“Grand Union” way to go Manfred ????????????
— . (@BellisBurner) July 9, 2023
Manfred said Grand Union University ????
— Pedro Maldonado (@CoachMaldonado5) July 9, 2023