MLB commissioner Rob Manfred slurs speech in Opening Day interview, and Twitter notices

Not everything can go according to plan on Opening Day of the Major League Baseball season. There are bound to be some kinks that need to be ironed out for the remaining 161 games.

During AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh's telecast of Thursday's Pittsburgh at Cincinnati game, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred sat in the booth to break down his reservations about adopting a universal designated hitter in the near future.

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Manfred, usually succinct and clear in his delivery, did not sound like his usual self, slurring his speech. 

Seriously. You good, Rob Manfred? pic.twitter.com/NFvNuzQndH

— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) March 28, 2019

Here's Rob Manfred sounding odd during this opening day interview...

(cc: @rtjr)https://t.co/cFSM8e8mvS

— Benstonium (@Benstonium) March 28, 2019

By comparison, here is what Manfred normally sounds like, in an interview just a day ago:

For opening day, here is my full sitdown with the commissioner of #MLB on pace of play, salaries, good news on young fans and much more. Play ball! @GetUpESPN
https://t.co/ylJ4io9fuo

— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) March 28, 2019

As Twitter tends to do, it had a field day with Manfred, questioning the status of his health, or even if he had partaken in too much stadium beer and hot dogs.

If there’s something legitimate that I’m missing, my apologies in advance, but Rob Manfred sounds like he is under the influence of something.

— Chris Mueller (@ChrisMuellerPGH) March 28, 2019

I admittedly don’t know, but does Rob Manfred always sound like this?

— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) March 28, 2019

Is Rob Manfred speaking like he generally does or is he slurring his words? Is all ok with him?
I’m not being flip.

— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) March 28, 2019

I don't know if I ever heard Rob Manfred speak before .. but is it usually like this?

— Steven Fabian (@StevenFabianTV) March 28, 2019

Rob Manfred in the booth pic.twitter.com/REKJiuL0WD

— Smitty (@Z23smitty) March 28, 2019

Rob Manfred sounds like he's really enjoying Opening Day.

— Adam Bittner (@fugimaster24) March 28, 2019

Rob Manfred sounds hammered

— Rum Bunter (@rumbunter) March 28, 2019

Following the social media storm of fans and media concerned about Manfred's status, Pirates play-by-play announcer Greg Brown, who was in the booth with the commissioner, said Manfred was dealing with bad feedback in his headset, causing him to be very slow and deliberate in his delivery.

Opening Day may have been a bit of a strikeout for Manfred in the booth, but he'll have plenty of chances to round into midseason form in the months ahead.