Manfred says MLB will change protocols for political donations

[November 28, 2018]  Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred on Tuesday said the league will change its protocols on political donations moving forward in the wake of its financial support of a controversial candidate in Mississippi.

Manfred, speaking at an event in Manhattan, vowed changes after the league made a $10K contribution to Republican Senate candidate Cindy Hyde-Smith, who recently made controversial public comments about attending a public hanging and sitting "on the front row."

Manfred said that comment was "completely at odds with the values that Major League Baseball has always, always embraced." Though MLB on Monday requested that the $10K be returned, Manfred expressed regret for not making that request sooner.

The donation to Hyde-Smith was made by a lobbyist on MLB's behalf. However, Manfred said donations will need to be approved by the league in the future.

Yahoo Sports on Monday reported that MLB has donated nearly $4 million to 300-plus members of Congress over the past 17 years.

Rob Manfred, commissioner of Major League Baseball, takes part in the Yahoo Finance All Markets Summit in New York, U.S., February 8, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Hyde-Smith is facing Democrat Mike Espy in a run-off election Tuesday in Mississippi.

--Field Level Media

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