Pitching Pitchfork: David Wells Blasts MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred

World Series Champion David Wells, known for his fiery attitude, recently took aim at MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, criticizing his handling of the game and its rules.

Former MLB champion pitcher David Wells has fired a blazing fastball at MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, accusing him of attempting to alter the game of baseball for the worse.

During an appearance on OutKick's "The Ricky Cobb Show," Wells unleashed a tirade against Manfred, labeling him as "the worst commissioner in the game." The retired pitcher's main grievance stems from Manfred's implementation of new rules and regulations, particularly those designed to speed up the pace of play.

Pitching Pitchfork: David Wells Blasts MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred

Wells, a renowned workhorse during his time on the mound, lamented the decline in pitchers' stamina and their overreliance on analytics. He believes that pitchers should focus on their strengths and developing their skills rather than adhering to rigid pitching zones dictated by data.

"They don't play long toss. They don't do anything," Wells lamented. "They work on the analytics of the game, zones that they got to pitch in, but we had to pitch in zones all the time. We had to figure guys out, and now they got everything on the silver platter for them these days."

Pitching Pitchfork: David Wells Blasts MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred

The 1998 World Series champion with the New York Yankees also pointed to the legendary performances of pitchers in the past, such as Bob Gibson, who regularly threw more than 300 innings per season without experiencing significant arm problems.

Wells suggested that the modern emphasis on pitch counts and strict adherence to specific zones is detrimental to pitchers' development and ultimately weakens the game. He believes that pitchers should be allowed to pitch to their strengths and develop their own strategies, as they did in the past.

Pitching Pitchfork: David Wells Blasts MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred

"To me, it's a matter of mindset, going out there and execute. And know what guys can beat you, what guys you have success, but you still have to be careful. You just have to hit your spots," Wells explained.

However, Wells did not specify which specific changes he opposed. Since assuming the role of commissioner in 2015, Manfred has ushered in a number of rule changes, including the institution of a pitch clock to speed up games and a crackdown on pitchers using foreign substances to enhance their grip on the ball.

Despite criticism from some players and fans, Manfred has defended the implementation of these rules, arguing that they are necessary to make the game more appealing to viewers and to reduce the incidence of injuries.

"We are comfortable with the way the clock and the violations, particularly late in the game in high-leverage situations we've been watching, have been managed," Manfred said last year in defense of the pitch clock rule.

The debate over Manfred's handling of the game is likely to continue, with strong opinions on both sides. Wells' fiery critique adds fuel to the fire, highlighting the concerns of some players and fans who believe that the commissioner is making unnecessary changes to a game that has been played in a similar fashion for over a century.