Credit Where It's Due

[Nick Nelson]

I was a major skeptic of Major League Baseball's ability to carry out a 2020 season of record. I won't run away from it. As I stared down the immense challenges ahead in early April, my conclusion was that we needed to give up the ghost.

 

Six months later, I can officially say: I was wrong. And I couldn't be more pleased.The concerns were valid, and the sailing has not always been smooth. But one by one, MLB has managed to navigate every foreboding obstacle.

 

Overwhelming logistical barriers. The league's exhaustive protocols have been sound. There were a couple of early outbreaks, affecting the Marlins and Cardinals, but the virus seemingly never spread between clubhouses, and for the most part cases have been minimized. The traveling restrictions, the in-game considerations, the testing cadences ... they all seem to be working.

 

Player and public health implications. Some players and personnel have gotten sick, yes. But can anyone realistically argue that the number would not be far higher if all these individuals were left to their own devices? The latest testing results yielded a new positive rate of 0.008%. I suppose the resource drain could be criticized, but to my knowledge, shortage of testing supplies is not a nation-wide issue. There doesn't appear to be much if any collateral damage from baseball being played.

 

Playing in empty stadiums under altered rules. It's been strange, yes, but I still find myself enjoying the product. The league and its broadcasters have all-in-all done a tremendous job of delivering a familiar experience. Caliber of play has been high, and as a fan I've been looking forward to each night's game. Many of the new twists, like extra-inning men-on-second and an extended 60-man player pool, are intriguing and fun in their own ways.

 

Validity of a shortened and contorted season. This is the one thing I'm still a bit stuck on. Should a 60-game season, with warped schedules and an expanded playoff format, really be counted the same as a typical one in the game's annals?

 

At this point last year, the World Series Champion Washington Nationals were 16-25, and would've been outside the playoff picture. Presently, they are ... 16-25, and all but certain to miss the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Yankees are in real danger of missing out. And while this gives me great joy as a Twins fan, it gives me pause as a baseball fan. This is clearly one of the best teams in the league, eliminated from October because of some injuries and slumping in what would've normally been the first third of the schedule?

 

How am I gonna feel if the Twins get ousted by the White Sox 2-1 in a first-round playoff series?

 

It's all a little tough to come to grips with, but you know what? I can deal with it all. As a fan who cherishes the sport's legacy and tradition, I can accept it. Despite my reservations coming in, I just find myself happy to have baseball. It has proven an invaluable distraction from the state of the world, and the dynamic of a concentrated 60-game sprint only plays up this benefit. There's rarely a night off or a moment to take a breath, which is why – during the current odd two-day break – I find myself struck by a sense of sadness in the Twins' absence, and a looming dread at the spectre of an approaching finish line.

 

I'll be honest, when I listened to Rob Manfred and Co. wax poetic about the game's power to heal and restore normalcy – while at the same time embroiled in a highly publicized money dispute – I almost gagged at the schmaltzy sentimentality. But for me personally, the return of baseball has been a very wonderful thing, more than I ever expected. I'm extremely grateful for it. MLB's successful experiment even gives me hope that the NFL can pull off its season, set to get underway on Thursday night. If not for baseball successfully paving the way, I would have minimal confidence.

 

To the players, coaches, trainers, umpires, media, staffers, executives and – yes, even owners and commissioner – who have come together to make this season happen under extraordinary difficulty: thank you. So much.

 

And to Mr. John Bonnes ... Yes, I am loving watching baseball this year. You were right, I was wrong. Yeah yeah. Luckily, I'm sure you won't get a big head about it.

 

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[John Bonnes]

 

 

[wsnydes]

I was in the same boat, Nick.  And, I too, can admit that I was wrong.  However, I'm not really enjoying the quirkiness of the season.  And I don't really care about fans in the seats because I watch most games without sound on anyway.

 

While I have my complaints, I'm happy for those that are engrossed in it and for the relatively few that were able to return to their related jobs.  And, when I do actually have the chance to watch, it is nice to at least have the option.

[mikelink45]

Here are  the things I like -

• seven inning games are quicker, less relievers and very entertaining and also get done at a reasonable time.
• DH in both leagues - why not? 
• Playing in the Central division (why Pittsburgh in the Central?) but I would also have combined them into one division for the year. 
• The three batter rule - anything that reduces the number of pitcher changes within an inning. 
• Having baseball every day.

 

What i don't like;

• Manfred - the more he speaks the less I like his attitude
• Bullpen games
• Having the 60 man roster without relaxing rules that keep it from a fluid movement between active and reserve
• Eight teams in the playoffs.  Too many.  I know there are some fun storylines in Baltimore, Miami, and Detroit, but the real storylines should be three teams fighting for the AL central title.

[Vanimal46]

I had really mixed feelings about sports starting again back in April when there was so much uncertainty about the pandemic. Frankly I didn't have much hope that baseball would start at all when they were arguing about money up until the very last minute. It's been nice to have the option to watch baseball every day, even if I don't take advantage of it.  

[rdehring]

Thanks, Nick, enjoyed the article and agree with almost everything you have written. 

 

I suspect many of you younger guys and gals still have a life and are out and about while being careful. But for us old farts, we had really nothing as we are locked in our homes/jail cells. Having nightly baseball has been a god send, at least for me. Unfortunately, it will end too soon and hockey won't get going until I don't know when. And like you, I am more than thankful for baseball's return.

 

As for all the changes, I can live with them. And yes, even that bloody runner on second rule in extra innings. Actually, I would like to see a few more double headers in the future and could live with the 7-inning rule. As for the 3 batter rule, that's here to stay and it is growing on me.

 

As for player health, I am pleasantly surprised how most teams have gotten thru the season with zero cases. Congrats to those organizations for both having a good plan in place and the courage of all involved to live with it.

 

Now can the Twins extend this season all the way to the end of October? And is it true, Nick, that Mr. Bonnes ordered a mature crow from Omaha Steaks to be delivered to your home for your dinner this evening?

[Trov]

 

 

Here are  the things I like -

• seven inning games are quicker, less relievers and very entertaining and also get done at a reasonable time.
• DH in both leagues - why not? 
• Playing in the Central division (why Pittsburgh in the Central?) but I would also have combined them into one division for the year. 
• The three batter rule - anything that reduces the number of pitcher changes within an inning. 
• Having baseball every day.

 

What i don't like;

• Manfred - the more he speaks the less I like his attitude
• Bullpen games
• Having the 60 man roster without relaxing rules that keep it from a fluid movement between active and reserve
• Eight teams in the playoffs.  Too many.  I know there are some fun storylines in Baltimore, Miami, and Detroit, but the real storylines should be three teams fighting for the AL central title.

 

I do not mind the 7 inning games for double headers, and would be fine with that move for double headers only in the future as well.  Not for non-double-headers though.  

 

Pittsburgh is in the central because there are 5 teams in the NL that are more east.  Miami, Mets, Nats, Phills, Atlanta.  Plus they are the closest to the other NL central teams compared to other NL east teams.  So sometimes it would seem it does not make much sense on where teams are, but lines have to be drawn somewhere.

 

I am not fan of the 60 games, but I get it.  I get the expanded playoffs, which makes the 60 game season even less of an issue.  I do not have an issue with how the playoffs will be though.  Having best of 3 is better than a first round single game at least. 

[Doctor Gast]

The thing that made the most sense  on implementing in this fearful season was the robo umps. #1 was that it kept distance between older umps & players #2 it eliminated human error. But it was not accepted, why not?

[Nick Nelson]

 

The thing that made the most sense  on implementing in this fearful season was the robo umps. #1 was that it kept distance between older umps & players #2 it eliminated human error. But it was not accepted, why not?

Although I'm not a robo-umps advocate in general, I actually agree that this year offered the perfect opportunity to test it out (while enhancing safety as well). It seems the biggest issue they're running into is clearly communicating calls in a rapid fashion. 

 

For example: Let's say it's a called third strike and a guy is stealing second. When the ump is immediately barking the out call, the catcher can put the ball in his pocket. When you have to look to a board and see it, they might be whipping it down to second while a runner is barreling in needlessly, creating injury risk, confusion, etc. That's just one of many examples.

 

There are probably ways to solve this, but doing so in rushed fashion for an already abnormal season was probably a bit much.

[LanceJS]

Good article and I agree with practically all of it.  I am only hoping that the 16 team postseason format is for only this season - much like the expanded NFL playoffs in 1982's shortened season lasted only that season.  I get it for this year, to maximize interest, but we all know that the Marlins, Orioles and Giants would not be close to postseason in any season before 2020.  I too like the 7 inning games for doubleheaders but you KNOW they won't stay and the split admission doubleheader will return.  Lastly, I know it's not popular with many - but I LOVE the runner at second base to start extra innings.  Before this season, I attended several minor league games in which that rule was in play and it added juice to the extra frames.  Plus, never saw a game go beyond 11 innings with that rule.  

[Battle ur tail off]

 

Good article and I agree with practically all of it.  I am only hoping that the 16 team postseason format is for only this season - much like the expanded NFL playoffs in 1982's shortened season lasted only that season.  I get it for this year, to maximize interest, but we all know that the Marlins, Orioles and Giants would not be close to postseason in any season before 2020.  I too like the 7 inning games for doubleheaders but you KNOW they won't stay and the split admission doubleheader will return.  Lastly, I know it's not popular with many - but I LOVE the runner at second base to start extra innings.  Before this season, I attended several minor league games in which that rule was in play and it added juice to the extra frames.  Plus, never saw a game go beyond 11 innings with that rule.  

I love the runner on 2nd rule as well. This is what they do in the fastpitch softball world. My daughter plays travel ball so I have seen alot of them. Makes extra innings much more fun. 

[PopRiveter]

Baseball will always be better than not baseball.

[Puckett34]

I'll echo Baseball > No Baseball.

 

I like the 7 inning double headers when I thought I wouldn't. I'll always be a proponent of the DH in both leagues.

 

Hopefully everything will continue through the next 6 weeks.

[Andrew Bryzgornia]

I guess I'll be the first person to say this: I hate the 7-inning rule for doubleheaders. The length of games has definitely become an issue, but 7 innings feels awkwardly short. It's basketball or football with only 3 quarters or hockey with 2 periods. (Yes, I understand those games have clocks, that's not my point here.) I don't really miss starting pitchers going 7 innings and I'm not too bothered by the frequent relievers, and I kind of wonder if reducing the number of innings will encourage teams to use their best pitchers more, rather than rely more on their starting pitcher. 

 

Otherwise, everything has ranged from indifferent to great. I don't really care about the 60-man pool as it's just a slightly different 40-man roster. I wish teams were playing more than just their division rivals, but meh. The 3-batter minimum has been less of an issue than I expected. Plus, perhaps my biggest surprise was how much that I love the extra inning runner on 2nd rule. I always thought I'd oppose it, but now I'll be pleased if it carries over beyond this season. 

 

I was a bit surprised that I didn't miss baseball as much as I thought I would from April - July, but I'm definitely happy to see it's back.

[flpmagikat]

 

The thing that made the most sense  on implementing in this fearful season was the robo umps. #1 was that it kept distance between older umps & players #2 it eliminated human error. But it was not accepted, why not?

 

Agreed about it making sense to try this year, and I have been mostly ambivalent about the electronic strike zone until watching this season play out. Maybe it's just that I'm watching the games pretty much everyday this season, but the balls/strikes calls have been absolutely atrocious. It's actually made me less interested in watching just because its so inconsistent and really takes away from the game for me. Watching a guy get rung up on a ball a foot out of the zone, or taking first on a pitch down the middle is unacceptable, and seems to happen multiple times every game. 

[DocBauer]

I remain so-so on the runner on 2B. I despised the idea but am now ambivalent.

 

I was OK with 7 inning double headers for this year, but not going forward. But I have to admit, I like the pace of the games played, the short turnaround between games, and pitching staffs and rosters overall not being worn out by a pair of traditional length games. I think I could get used to this.

 

Hate the idea of the expanded playoffs.

[SkyBlueWaters]

Baseball has been so incredibly welcome. Something sane in the world.

 

Liking the runner on 2nd more than expected. Good tension, which is what extra innings should have.

 

Agreed about the umps' bad calls, would like to have seen MLB try robo-umps.

 

The expanded playoffs is awful; really prefer a regular season with tense races, but so little has been regular in baseball or life this season.

 

Still worry about a bad C-19 outbreak. Want to see these guys make it to the playoff bubbles.

 

Mostly:  I am so glad to have baseball.