Gary Sheffield, Jr
Videos by OutKick
Rob Manfred is probably the most hated commissioner in all of sports (that’s really saying something), but now, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, he’s preparing to push through COVID next season. Meaning that fans, players, and owners should expect a full 162-game season and an “on-time” Spring Training. Praise the Lord.
Commissioner Manfred is many things, but a liar is not one of them. The guy has proven his emphasis is to maximize profits (as it should be), so that is encouraging if you actually like baseball.
Rob Manfred has informed teams they should plan for spring training in February and full 162-game season, per @BNightengale pic.twitter.com/4iy4heazK7
— Bleacher Report MLB (@BR_MLB) January 12, 2021
Spring Training begins Feb. 17th and not one team has started selling tickets to those games. Major League Baseball and the union are smack dab in the middle of negotiations, as we speak to figure out all these details:
When teams start Spring Training, number of games, travel, safety protocols, full-time DH’s, and playoff expansion. It’s messy, but all sides have reason to get a deal done that includes a normal 162-game season. Actually sad that we have to find reasons why the commissioner of a sport would benefit from getting a deal done, rather than trusting him to do what’s best for the sport.
Last week, the union made a statement to The Athletic that shows the players expect a full season as well:
“While there will continue to be challenges, out players have proven they can safely play a season under difficult circumstances, as have the other sports.”
If the NBA could fire up a season that travels every other day, why wouldn’t baseball, who’s teams travel every four or five days, be able to operate? Common sense says baseball will do just fine, so that explains Manfred’s optimism.
Expect baseball (…lots of baseball)
Everyone has their butt in the pot, so expectation is that a deal gets done. Barring anyone hating baseball from within, it’s hard to imagine any scenario where the two sides can’t work this out.
I think its good in that it starts to gets us back to some sense of normality although i have always thought the season should be shorter play ball!!
Covid or not, there is no reason to ever again have a 162 game season.
If Biden does get in…I fully expect Covid to fade away fast. That doesn’t mean things overall will be better…but the narrative will shift.
I sure hope so. I already have my Angels tickets-unless Gavin Newsome says no fans š
I do appreciate Manfred pushing for this but Iām a little torn about the length of the season issue. While I did enjoy last seasons shortened season, meaning every game had more importance placed on it, I understand the push for a full 162 game season because of the money. Either way Iām looking forward to the season and will be looking forward to a Dodgers repeat!