So we will be having Major League Baseball ( MLB.com) after all.
After some time, where baseball fans were looking at a delay to the season opening; there was relief, when the new collective bargaining was agreed upon and we can move on to rooting for our favorite teams and to see a FULL season of MLB this year.
From a personal standpoint, baseball was my first sports love. More specifically - the NEW YORK METS - (MLB.com/METS) and although admittedly, the American National Football League has become my favorite sport to watch now; the Mets have my frustrating loyalty.
Talking about what can be frustrating is when millionaires and billionaires are in these types of fights, but it's a business at the end of the day and we have to accept that; if we continue to dedicate our money and time to it - as fans.
Where it became dicey as a Mets fanatic, is knowing that during the off-season my beloved team signed a few guys that instantly will make our team a force to be reckoned with.
The most impactful signing was putting pen on paper, future Hall of Fame pitcher Max Scherzer and adding him a rotation that included who is arguably considered the current best pitcher on the planet Jacob DeGrom and although we have a rotation that comes with injury histories - it's the nature of athletics and injuries comes with the territory.
Other signings that make our offense more potent and balances the team out, include Starling Marte, Mark Canha and Eduardo Escobar; these guys adds to what already is a potent lineup to begin with.
We just need less injuries - like all teams do and with the hiring of an experienced and successful manager with a history of turning teams around to become contenders year in and year out Buck Showalter will add stability and that old school personality to keep the team competitive.
Needless to say, I'm pumped for opening day April 7th:
Right before the lockout happened and the owners was all in on making things tough on the player's union there was some excitement with players signing big contracts and some trades happening.
The lockout essentially froze most transactions and along with waiting for the season to begin, we were left wondering what is going to happen; once the lockout is over.
Well, it happened and mayhem ensued:
It's been daily shockers with signings and trades happening what seems like every minute. I know that I'm exaggerating a bit, but just check out the last few days on the MLB Free Agent & Hot Stove Tracker
Spring Training will have a shorter schedule, because of the lockout; but there will be a full 162 game per team schedule and that is probably the best news. A full season was salvaged.
Let's keep in mind, we went from a shortened season because of the pandemic in 2020 and some COVID affected situations in 2021 that made the season a bit uncomfortable, although it was a successful one - for the most part.
This year, it should cross the threshold of back to as close to whatever the new normalcy will be; but it looks like things will be back to being the game fans are accustomed to.
OR WILL IT?
Yes, there are some changes coming and it has nothing to do with COVID. It has everything to do with folks realizing that the game of baseball need to make some changes to appeal to a new audience, a younger audience and keep the game moving forward.
The National League will now have a full time designator hitter and pitchers will no longer hit for themselves. The NL was the very last league and the oldest, not to have the DH as a full time occurrence. It was relegated to interleague play and at the American Leagues home park.
I believe the idiotic extra inning automatic man on second to start the top of the 10th inning will not be part of the game anymore and only necessary, because of the recent pandemic affected seasons - but, there is talk that it may make it's way back in. NOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Hopefully not.
I think a pitch clock will be introduced and abolishing some of the outfield/infield shifts being instituted. These may happen and how exactly they will do this, may happen in 2023 and they have to be careful not to muck up the game too much.
I understand the need to bring the game into the realm of a faster product for the new and future generations to remain interested in watching a full game. What baseball purists fear, is the game to become so watered down; that it will not be what folks have grown to know - as the National Pastime.
When the season begins on April 7th, there will be a lot of old faces on new teams and for some of them - set for life - with some astronomical contracts given to them to join their team for a chance to make them the next MLB champions and knock the Atlanta Braves off their current throne.
