Baseball is a sport steeped in tradition, but it’s also one that never stops sparking debates about how to improve it. From pitch clocks to instant replay to whether or not the shift should be banned, everyone seems to have an opinion on what’s wrong with the game. In Make Me Commissioner: I Know What’s Wrong with Baseball and How to Fix It, Jane Leavy steps right into that conversation with authority, wit, and a clear passion for the sport. She brings not only her sharp storytelling skills but also her deep knowledge of baseball’s history and culture, making this book as entertaining as it is insightful. Right from the start, it feels less like a dry policy pitch and more like a conversation with a well-informed fan who’s been paying close attention for decades.

A Big-Picture Look at the Game

Leavy doesn’t just focus on one or two hot-button issues. Instead, she takes a wide-ranging look at what has shaped the modern game and how some of those decisions have steered baseball off course. From ownership decisions and labor disputes to fan engagement and the way the sport markets itself to younger generations, she covers ground that’s both timely and timeless. Along the way, she weaves in stories of players, executives, and even her own experiences as a lifelong observer of the game. The book feels like a road map for baseball’s future, rooted in its past but always pushing toward what the sport could still become. Readers who love both the history and the future of the game will find themselves nodding along more than once.

A Blend of Humor and Authority

What makes Leavy’s book such a pleasure to read is the balance she strikes between sharp critique and humor. She doesn’t shy away from pointing out baseball’s blind spots—whether that’s the game’s resistance to innovation or its sometimes clumsy attempts at modernization—but she does it with a light touch that keeps things fun. You never feel like you’re being lectured; instead, it’s more like being let in on the smartest, most entertaining baseball conversation at the ballpark. Leavy’s sense of humor shines through, keeping the pace lively and the subject matter accessible. Even if you’re not the type to keep up with every box score, you’ll find her take approachable and engaging.

A Must-Read for Fans and Beyond

Ultimately, Make Me Commissioner is about more than just fixing baseball’s quirks. It’s about why people fall in love with the sport in the first place, and why it matters to keep that love alive for the next generation. Leavy manages to write a book that is both critical and affectionate, a rare combination that makes her arguments all the more convincing. Whether you’re a die-hard fan, a casual follower, or even someone who’s drifted away from the sport, this book has the power to reignite your connection to baseball. It reminds us that while the game may not be perfect, it’s still worth investing in—and with voices like Leavy’s guiding the conversation, the future of baseball feels a little brighter.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever shouted at your television during a sluggish ninth inning or rolled your eyes at yet another drawn-out replay review, this book is for you. Jane Leavy doesn’t claim to have all the answers, but she offers something even better: a vision of what baseball could be if it embraced its fans and its future with the same intensity it embraces its past. Make Me Commissioner is smart, funny, and full of heart, a book that manages to critique without tearing down and inspire without preaching. It’s the kind of read that makes you want to grab a hot dog, head to the ballpark, and believe once again in the magic of the game. For anyone who loves baseball—or even just loves a great conversation about it—this is a book well worth picking up.