MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred endorsed torpedo bats as positive for baseball, remarking their recent use in a Yankees game sparked cultural conversations despite minimal implications. With multiple players utilizing these bats since their development by ex-coach Aaron Leanhardt, the trend highlights an ongoing innovation within the sport. Yankees manager Aaron Boone defends their use as a pursuit of excellence. Manfred argues the debates surrounding these bats showcase baseball's cultural significance, emphasizing that the game's essence transcends monetary aspects like ratings or revenue.
"I believe that issues like the torpedo bat demonstrate the fact that baseball still occupies a unique place in our culture, because people get into a complete frenzy over something that's really nothing at the end of the day."
"Players have actually been moving the sweet spot around in bats for years... it just demonstrates that something about the game is more important than... television ratings or revenue."
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