MLB launches Commissioner's Ambassador Program

On Tuesday, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred unveiled the launch of the Commissioner’s Ambassador Program, a new effort featuring 12 former players who will participate in Major League Baseball programs, represent the game at MLB events and support the league’s international growth, among other responsibilities.

The program will be led by former MVPs Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins. They’ll be joined by fellow former players Dellin Betances, Michael Bourn, Dexter Fowler, Jeremy Guthrie, LaTroy Hawkins, Jed Lowrie, Fred McGriff, Ichiro Suzuki, Nick Swisher and Shane Victorino.

In total, the group has combined for eight World Series victories, three MVPs, two Rookie of the Year Awards, 28 All-Star appearances, eight Silver Sluggers, 20 Gold Gloves and a Hall of Fame selection (McGriff) across 175 combined seasons of Major League experience.

“We are thrilled to begin our Ambassador Program, which will highlight the impact that former players continue to have,” Manfred said. “Their active participation in our initiatives will keep them close to the game and help us advance Major League Baseball in the future. I appreciate this group’s great enthusiasm to support the game’s growth for the next generation of fans.”

This isn’t the first time Howard and Rollins have worked together, as the two spent 11 years as offensive catalysts for the Phillies. Howard, who spent his entire 13-year career in Philadelphia, won his MVP in 2006, when he hit 58 home runs and drove in 149 runs to become the second player in MLB history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in consecutive seasons.

“I’m honored to have been tasked to help lead and develop the Commissioner’s Ambassador Program,” Howard said. “Being able to work with a collection of former players, who all meant so much to this game, and having the opportunity to assist Major League Baseball in its continued efforts to expand the footprint of the sport was something I knew I wanted to be involved in.”

The next year, Rollins put together his MVP masterclass by hitting .296 with 212 hits while leading the National League in runs scored (139) and triples (20). He spent 15 seasons with the Phillies before playing a year each with the Dodgers and White Sox.

The group will also attend key events on the MLB calendar like the All-Star Game and postseason games, along with the MLB World Tour, MLB Draft, Draft Combine and more. They’ll take part in MLB Together community programs and youth baseball initiatives around the country. They’ll also be able to work as liaisons to current and future players and will have the chance to learn more about baseball operations and broadcasting opportunities.

The creation of the group adds to the already robust presence of former players in the Commissioner's Office, with other notable names including Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr. (senior advisor to the Commissioner), Cal Ripken Jr. (senior advisor on youth programs) and Joe Torre, who is a special assistant to the Commissioner. Other notable veterans include special assistants to the Commissioner Albert Pujols and CC Sabathia, Raul Ibañez (senior vice president for on-field operations) and Adam Jones, who is a member of MLB’s baseball operations department. Ibañez and Sabathia helped create the new Ambassador Program, and they will work with Jones and Pujols to help grow the program.

“Leading the Commissioner’s Ambassador Program alongside Ryan and a group of former players who all share the same passion as we do was an opportunity I knew I couldn’t pass up,” Rollins said. “To be working with Major League Baseball after our playing careers and still have the chance to help continue growing the game we all love is a true honor. I’m excited for the work and impact this program will have on the sport.”