LOS ANGELES — Rob Manfred, the MLB Commissioner, has been with Major League Baseball since 1988. He vividly remembers watching Game 1 of the World Series from his New York home back then as Kirk Gibson delivered a legendary walk-off home run, which is now a cherished memory for Los Angeles Dodgers fans.

Fast forward to Friday night, Manfred witnessed a similar thrilling moment in person. Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off grand slam at nearly the same exact time, 8:38 PM PT, sending the ball to a comparable spot in the right-field pavilion at Dodger Stadium, leading to a 6-3, 10-inning win for the Dodgers against the New York Yankees.

The Game 1 broadcast on FOX attracted 15.2 million viewers, marking the largest audience for a Game 1 since the 2017 World Series showdown between the Houston Astros and Dodgers. This figure is a remarkable 62% increase compared to last year’s opener featuring the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers. The viewership peaked at 17.8 million between 11:30 PM ET and the game’s conclusion.

“The ratings were really impressive,” Manfred stated. “This matchup is a great chance to enhance everything we’ve aimed for in recent years. We are focusing on athletes while trying to make baseball a more appealing national and international sport for younger audiences.”

“This is a significant platform to advance our goals.”

MLB is set to receive TV ratings from Japan on Monday, expecting to see strong figures.

“We anticipate very positive numbers,” Manfred added. “Ratings have been exceptional during the postseason, and we expect another strong report. Given the excitement of this game, it should reflect that.”

On another note, Manfred shared that there are no recent updates regarding the Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium situation, following damage to Tropicana Field from Hurricane Milton. Uncertainty looms over the team’s venue for the beginning of the 2025 season, but he hopes to have clarification by late December.

“I believe they should have a solid plan by Christmas,” Manfred said. “There are many logistics involved. After Game 7, we need to prioritize our next steps.”

As of now, however, there are no definitive answers available.

“They are still evaluating the damage,” Manfred noted. “They are determining the extent of the destruction. This process is crucial. The issues extend beyond just the roof; there is also internal damage. We won’t have precise information until they finish their assessment. It’s all speculation until the specifics are shared.”

If necessary, the Rays may temporarily play in a minor-league stadium or spring training facility, or perhaps occasionally share the Miami Marlins’ stadium.

“We can adapt to a minor-league venue if it comes to that,” Manfred stated. “There’s also some leeway in how we can arrange the major league schedule.”

MLB has already transitioned to a minor-league site with the Athletics moving to Sacramento, California, for the next three seasons, where they will play on a grass field instead of turf.

“We’ve agreed with the players that given the situation, it’s best to have the best playing surface available. Grass can be replaced, and it requires only a relatively small investment to ensure that players have the optimal environment to play in.”