MLB 2021

Batter Up!

The 2021 Major League Baseball season is fast approaching. Last season – well – GRRRR! COVID-19 rocked the world with a country wide lockdown in March and left many people in doubt that we would even see baseball games at all. After many weeks, which lead to several months, the MLB and Major League Baseball Players Association came to an agreement on a 60-game season that had Opening day set for July 23^rd. Travel was limited. Each team stayed within their geographical region and played with ZERO fans. It was unlike anything we have ever seen. No vendors walking around screaming ‘Ice cold beer here!’ or ‘Peeeeeaaaaaanuts, hot Peanuts!’. No highlight reels of the Dad holding the baby snagging a foul ball out of mid-air. No heckling the outfielders from the bleacher creatures. No role-call after first pitch at Yankee Stadium. No ‘Sweet Caroline’ before the bottom of the 8th at Fenway. We, as fans, got robbed of all that. We watched these teams play on TV in front of cardboard cut outs. Given all that, we still got baseball. We still had a postseason. We still crowned a Champion. The Los Angeles Dodgers finally got over the hump. Of course, adding Mookie Betts to the mix helped (thanks Red Sox).       

 Spring training is right around the corner and soon the start of the season. We will be able to hear the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd and the vendors urging us to buy those peanuts! MLB says fans will be allowed into the ballpark this season. Obviously, there will be a maximum amount of people allowed in, but it is a step to somewhat normalcy.

I am excited to see what some teams do in what is projected to be a full 162 game season. Do the Dodgers suffer from a World Series hangover even with the addition of Bauer? Do we see Slam-Diego again? Do the Braves continue to compete with their young talent? Do the Yankees reach the World Series finally? Is Oakland for real? How does Arenado switch the balance of power in the NL Central? Is Miami even considered a surprise team anymore? Will the Astros be there in the end again to contend? All these storylines so intriguing to follow this season. I know I can’t wait! In the words of the great Hamilton ‘Ham’ Porter “Baaaaaatter Up!”