A collective bargaining dispute over payment for players has led to the MLB canceling the first two series of the sport’s upcoming season. The cancelations were announced in a Tuesday press conference by Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, who is now the target of angry memes from fans, many of whom argue his actions during the negotiations have led to the current situation.

A message from Rob Manfred to the fans of Major League Baseball: pic.twitter.com/UyD5gUhGkY

— The Shit in Shitposter (@UrinatingTree) March 2, 2022

American baseball has faced labor disputes in the past. Many players and fans believe the 30 owners of Major League Baseball teams and Manfred, their representative since 1998, pay players less than they deserve and make decisions that hold the sport back. After nine days of negotiations, the players’ union rejected Manfred’s proposal for a compromise (stating that the offer did not address their concerns), and the start of this upcoming season was delayed.

Dear Commissioner Rob Manfred, pic.twitter.com/sAxeaAQgHP

— Richard Staff (@RichardStaff) March 1, 2022

Baseball fans vented their frustrations on Twitter in droves as they blamed Manfred and the MLB for the cancelation through memes and other posts.

good morning to everyone except MLB owners and rob manfred pic.twitter.com/jYX6QzcpLw

— Emerson Lotzia, Jr. (@EmersonLotzia) February 28, 2022

rob manfred’s message to the fans: pic.twitter.com/zAYSqjLiHF

— ryan (@hoodieglasnow) March 1, 2022

Rob Manfred announced the cancelation of the two series in a press conference on Tuesday, in which his laughs and smiles were the targets of scorn from commentators.

Rob Manfred getting ready for his press conference pic.twitter.com/pF5YNyBjt0

— LouAye (@LouAye_) March 1, 2022

If you are as frustrated by @MLB and #robmanfred as I am retweet this post! pic.twitter.com/F4OwNu51qv

— Donald Gullicks (@GullD3) March 2, 2022

Others brought up controversial remarks and actions Manfred has made in the past, including his calling the World Series trophy "a hunk of metal."

Asked a player for his reaction to Rob Manfred laughing after postponing the start of the regular season: “Are you talking about the guy who cut 42 minor-league teams and called the World Series trophy a hunk of metal?”

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) March 1, 2022

People who can go fuck themselves:

1. Vlady Putin
2. Rob Manfred
3. The 2017 Houston Astros
4. MLB owners
5. whoever thinks baseball is boring

— Bush Leaguer (@BushLeague101) February 28, 2022

The future of the next baseball season, and of this current lockout, remains unclear. The sport has changed a great deal over the past few years, and problems are not limited to player compensation alone. Many fans suggest that the way the MLB is managed needs to change along with the sport.