Who doesn't love a good Rob Manfred roast sesh? The man gets booed wherever he goes. He makes Roger Goodell look like the Peoples' Commissioner. And it's not just fans who aren't thrilled with Manfred -- current and former players have taken aim at him, too.
The most recent in Yankee land is former Bomber David Wells, who won a World Series with the 1998 team -- one of the best in history. Wells loves the game of baseball, knows what it takes to win, and isn't afraid to speak his mind, which is the perfect concoction for the Yankees fan audience.
He stopped by the Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz during their live show at Lake Tahoe and dished with the crew. He talked about being disillusioned with today's game, putting back some drinks, and playing golf.
Why doesn't he watch a ton of baseball anymore? He's not a fan of the rule changes, like most old-school minds/players. Who's responsible for that? Manfred, of course.
When the conversation segwayed to Manfred, Wells called him a "tool" and suggested the commissioner "doesn't like baseball."
Yankees fans will love David Wells' rant about Rob Manfred
And don't get Wells started on player salaries. "What do you think Bob Gibson would be making today? Probably $70 million a year!" Wells said. The older Yankee crowd will certainly align with this perspective, especially as they watched a lot of Gerrit Cole falters over the last few years. "$36 million a year for dis guy?!"
Though he's happy for the players making more money, he thinks it's imperative today's players understand those who came before them and, more importantly, the history of the game. You'd have to think he has the same feelings toward Manfred, based on how the commissioner has changed so much since taking over.
For anyone out there already all aboard the Wells train and ready to campaign for him to better influence the game of baseball, you're unfortunately out of luck, though. The hosts asked why he didn't continue to pursue a career in baseball after his playing days, and Wells essentially revealed he was blackballed from coaching -- even at the minor-league level -- after getting no help from every connection he reached out to.
Maybe that'll change because the Yankees need some sort of coaching overhaul. Wells, even in the farm system, could be a harsh yet motivational voice to get this organization back on track.