BRADENTON, Fla. — LeBron James might not play baseball but the NBA icon has earned the respect of professional athletes for using his platform to speak up on social issues.

When the Los Angeles Lakers star called out MLB commissioner Rob Manfred on Twitter for his handling of the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal, baseball paid attention.

Listen I know I don’t play baseball but I am in Sports and I know if someone cheated me out of winning the title and I found out about it I would be F*^king irate! I mean like uncontrollable about what I would/could do! Listen here baseball commissioner listen to your.....

— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 18, 2020

players speaking today about how disgusted, mad, hurt, broken, etc etc about this. Literally the ball(⚾️) is in your court(or should I say field) and you need to fix this for the sake of Sports! #JustMyThoughtsComingFromASportsJunkieRegardlessMyOwnSportIPlay

— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 18, 2020

One prominent member of the Pittsburgh Pirates noticed.

“LeBron’s one guy who I think recognizes his voice and his platform. Throughout his whole career, he’s used his voice to speak on issues he feels strongly about,” said Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon, the team’s MLB Players Association representative. “I’m happy that he speaks out and brings attention to the problem. He might not play baseball but he’s definitely one of the greatest athletes of all time, so he understands it.”

1. Agree to disagree: James urged Manfred to listen to baseball players about how “disgusted, mad, hurt, broken” they are about how the Astros’ scandal has been handled, both publicly and privately.

Players are upset how the Astros players have gone unpunished by the commissioner, receiving immunity for their involvement and protection from retaliation.

“I actually like the statement he said about the commissioner listening to the players,” Taillon said. “Players are mad right now. It sounds a little cliche but hopefully from a little disagreement, an agreement can come from it.”

2. Piece of their minds: Manfred stuck his foot in his mouth when he dismissed the Commissioner’s Trophy, presented to the World Series champion, as a “piece of metal.”

Taillon said he believes in giving people the benefit of doubt, but was offended by that statement.

“I hope you’re not discrediting the World Series trophy. That’s why guys play the game,” Taillon said. “There’s no other reason to play, other than to win — especially when you’re on this level. A lot of guys have made money or had great personal accomplishments. Now, it’s about winning and guys want to win a World Series. That trophy is what we’re all chasing, really. I’d say it’s the most important thing in our game.”

3. Dealing in dialogue: As the Pirates’ player rep, Taillon said players are “definitely angry” about MLB’s handling of the Astros scandal.

Taillon said he’s never seen so much talk between players — from all teams — to get ideas flowing heading into spring training MLBPA meetings.

“This isn’t just about our team,” Taillon said. “It’s about the game of baseball.”

4. Vote of confidence: Taillon, however, wouldn’t go so far as to say that the players have lost confidence in the commissioner.

Personally, I don’t see how Manfred overcomes this. He has made a mess of the sport’s biggest scandal with kid-gloves treatment of the Astros and shifting blame.

Taillon said players are upset with MLB and not confident that the cheating was contained to 2017 or that the league did anything to stop sign stealing in 2018 and ‘19

“This is a league-wide thing. It affects all players,” Taillon said. “Players are angry, yes, at the Astros and what happened in 2017. But I think they’re also angry that there’s not really a direction right now where we’re going with this. I’ve said it before but I think it’s up to players to direct where we go from here. Players drive the game. If we want this type of thing to stop we have to stop it.”

5. Speak up: Problem is, baseball doesn’t have an outspoken all-time great player who serves as the face of the game the way James does for the NBA.

Los Angeles stars Mike Trout of the Angels and Cody Bellinger of the Dodgers have been critical of the Astros, but baseball needs someone to speak up and say, “Fix this for the sake of Sports!”

“I don’t know if there’s just one player but you’ve already seen it by certain guys who don’t normally speak out, say like a Trout or a Bellinger,” Taillon said. “Those are pretty quiet dudes who kind of just mind their own business. For guys like that to start speaking out, it shows you that it is a problem and that guys do care.

“I don’t know if there’s one player necessarily the equivalent to him, but I think players recognize their responsibility to change it going forward. I’m happy that players are comfortable speaking out.”

Here’s a suggestion: If the best player on every team speaks up and challenges the commissioner in cohesion, he will have no choice but to listen.

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