Manfred knows Washington politics well

New Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred was in the nation's capital on Wednesday to visit with kids during a tour of the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy. While posing for a picture, one of the youngsters asked Manfred which major league team was his favorite.

Manfred, not wanting to name a team for obvious political reasons, opted for what he thought was a safer answer.

"The first game I ever went to was a Yankees game," said Manfred.

The kids, mostly from D.C.'s Wards 7 and 8, quickly rained down boos on the commissioner.

"I like the Nationals!" shouted one, to which Manfred responded, "Well, that's a good thing."

Manfred, 56, knows what's it's like to live in Washington without a professional baseball team. Before coming to MLB, Manfred was a partner in the labor and employment law section of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP in the Washington office from the mid-1980s to mid-1990s.

"Well, I must confess, I dealt with no baseball by being an Orioles season ticket holder. I had to drive up (Interstate) 95 to get my baseball," said Manfred with a nervous laugh.

As commissioner, Manfred is dealing with media and fans questioning when Washington's number will be called for an All-Star Game. This year's Midsummer Classic will be played in Cincinnati and the 2016 game is set for San Diego. So the best possible chance for D.C., comes in 2017, but that would also mean a National League city would host three straight All-Star Games. The Orioles have been rumored to be in the running to host a future game as well. Camden Yards hasn't held a game since 1993. Many have thought this could complicate matters even more for an All-Star Game coming to Nationals Park based on the close proximity between the two teams.

Manfred offered some clarity on Wednesday, saying, "I think the All-Star Game is a unique event and we think of Baltimore and Washington as separate franchises, separate cities, and I don't think having an All-Star Game in one would be a disqualifying or hindering factor for the other."

The Nationals' recent success - two National League East titles in three seasons - is not a surprise to Manfred as the team prepares to celebrate 10 years of baseball in D.C.

"I think at the time the Nationals came here, we had become pretty comfortable that the area had grown and developed so much since the Senators left that we felt it could be successful and it turned out we were right about it," said Manfred, who replaced Bud Selig as commissioner last month. "And I think it's a credit to commissioner Selig and to the Lerner family that they had the foresight to bring the national pastime back to the nation's capital. I think it's really important for the sport. The Lerners have built this into just a wonderful franchise, (one that's) really important to the continued success of Major League Baseball."

On Wednesday, the kids at the Youth Baseball Academy were asked if they knew what it meant to be commissioner of Major League Baseball.

"It's like the president," one proclaimed.

Manfred responded with a big laugh. He may not have the pressure of the president of the United States but he clearly understands the political aspects of his new job.