In Nov. 2016, Commissioner Rob Manfred and MLB parted ways with Korn Ferry, an executive search firm brought in by the league last year to support and promote the hiring of minorities to front office positions.
The move highlighted Manfred’s continued frustration in his effort to diversify the league’s front offices.
At the start of the 2016 season, there were just four men of color in a team’s front office: Kenny Williams (White Sox), Al Avila (Tigers), Farhan Zaidi (Dodgers) and Mike Hill (Marlins). Of the 30 managers, just three were of color. Shortly into the season, Brave’s manager Fredi Gonzalez was fired, leaving the league with only two managers from a minority group: Dave Roberts (Dodgers) and Dusty Baker (Nationals).