AP source: Rob Manfred elected next MLB commissioner

Thursday, August 14, 2014

BALTIMORE - Rob Manfred has been elected baseball's 10th commissioner and will succeed Bud Selig in January.

A labor lawyer who has worked for Major League Baseball since 1998, Manfred beat out Boston Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner on Thursday in the first contested vote for a new commissioner in 46 years.

The 55-year-old, who grew up in Rome, New York, must address issues that include decreased youth interest and the longer games. He has served as MLB's chief operating officer for the past year.

Selig turned 80 last month and has ruled baseball since September 1992, when he was among the owners who forced Commissioner Fay Vincent's resignation. He said he intends to retire in January.