Bernie Sanders sends critical message to MLB commish Rob Manfred: 'End the lockout'

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders made his position clear Wednesday regarding the MLB lockout. Sanders offered support to the players in a critical message that urged MLB commissioner Rob Manfred to "end the lockout."

Sanders noted MLB team owners are worth over $100 billion and that franchise values have increased exponentially over the past couple years. He asked Manfred to end the lockout and "negotiate in good faith."

Sanders added, "Don't let the greed of baseball owners take away our national past time."

Sanders' position is not a surprise. He has advocated in favor of unions for years, making workers' rights a major part of his policy. Sanders has offered support to multiple organization efforts. In February, Sanders held a town hall with Starbucks employees attempting to form a union. He also supported Hershey's workers who are attempting to unionize.

Bernie Sanders is a passionate baseball fan

Weighing in on baseball-related issues is common for Sanders. He criticized Manfred and MLB in 2019 after the league proposed to cut 42 minor league teams. A month later, Manfred and Sanders met to discuss the issue. When the league eventually cut those teams, Sanders blasted Manfred, calling the move a "disaster for baseball fans."

During his presidential campaign, Sanders hosted an event at the "Field of Dreams" baseball diamond, where he showed off his baseball skills. Sanders grew up in Brooklyn, and was a huge fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers. He has called the team's move to Los Angeles, "the worst thing that ever happened.”