On Friday, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred downplayed his recent confrontation with Phillies star Bryce Harper, who reportedly told him to "get the f--- out of our clubhouse" if he was going to speak about a salary cap.

Can money buy sympathy? That's the sort of question that probably plagues professional sports commissioners in the big four North American leagues. Even setting apart the annual tradition of being booed at their respective sports' drafts,