MLB Off-Topic

[Jolly Roger]

With the playoffs expanding even further, we really need to attempt to develop some formal celebration of regular season success. Best records in both leagues, division winners, etc. Something more than they do now. Currently, nobody really cares if you win your division or league if you don't go on to win the World Series. That was OK when there were only 2 to 6 playoff teams, but not now.

162 games is just too long for us to wipe the slate clean after 6 months and only recognize the success of the eventual World Series champ.

If you look to soccer culture, teams play in one or two knockout cups during the season, alongside their league games. The fans really celebrate winning a cup. So if your team finishes 6th in the league, you still have the cup victory as a legitimate achievement to remember for that season.

I doubt we'll ever develop this in MLB since it's not part of the culture, but we should at least try.

[Majingir]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jolly Roger

With the playoffs expanding even further, we really need to attempt to develop some formal celebration of regular season success. Best records in both leagues, division winners, etc. Something more than they do now. Currently, nobody really cares if you win your division or league if you don't go on to win the World Series. That was OK when there were only 2 to 6 playoff teams, but not now. 162 games is just too long for us to wipe the slate clean after 6 months and only recognize the success of the eventual World Series champ. If you look to soccer culture, teams play in one or two knockout cups during the season, alongside their league games. The fans really celebrate winning a cup. So if your team finishes 6th in the league, you still have the cup victory as a legitimate achievement to remember for that season. I doubt we'll ever develop this in MLB since it's not part of the culture, but we should at least try.

I doubt this will ever become a thing. It's just not in sports culture here.

Even the MLS has the supporters Shield for best regular season team, not sure how much the average fan will care about that.

It's just a meaningless accomplishment for most players/teams. Not sure how they could ever change that.

[reyes the roof]

Quote: Originally Posted by Blzer

I really have to see their first and second halves differences now. Clearly Tampa has caught on as of recent, and obviously Arizona had a dominant beginning (or at least when they acquired Johnson and Schilling). They never have quite seen much success since but have gotten by some seasons more than others.

It was the name change, once they went from the Devil Rays to the Rays their fortunes turned around

[Blzer]

Quote: Originally Posted by reyes the roof

It was the name change, once they went from the Devil Rays to the Rays their fortunes turned around

I was going to say that, but didn't think know when the official name change happened.

Also was going to mention that the Diamondbacks haven't had a bad uniform/color scheme yet, though I think their first uniform "matched" their ballpark more.

[DamnYanks2]

I heard the Marlins are going back to their OG Teal uniforms on fridays Those were easily the best for aesthetic reasons.

Everything else they've tried just looks like garbage. Can't beat these.



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[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jolly Roger

With the playoffs expanding even further, we really need to attempt to develop some formal celebration of regular season success. Best records in both leagues, division winners, etc. Something more than they do now. Currently, nobody really cares if you win your division or league if you don't go on to win the World Series. That was OK when there were only 2 to 6 playoff teams, but not now. 162 games is just too long for us to wipe the slate clean after 6 months and only recognize the success of the eventual World Series champ. If you look to soccer culture, teams play in one or two knockout cups during the season, alongside their league games. The fans really celebrate winning a cup. So if your team finishes 6th in the league, you still have the cup victory as a legitimate achievement to remember for that season. I doubt we'll ever develop this in MLB since it's not part of the culture, but we should at least try.

I mean, the players have a clubhouse champagne celebration after making the playoffs and after winning each round, and several franchises put up banners for anything and everything, so I think that's sufficient.

[zello144]

Are there any fielding highlights of Barry Bonds in his later career? Some people have said that he looked like an overweight mall security guard out there when he was running and now I am curious and want to see that lol.

[Blzer]

Quote: Originally Posted by zello144

Are there any fielding highlights of Barry Bonds in his later career? Some people have said that he looked like an overweight mall security guard out there when he was running and now I am curious and want to see that lol.

I don't have any in particular, but he wasn't the most nimble. He was still fine, though. His greatest asset in his later years were first step and transfer time to throw.

Even given that, I would've hated to see him become only a DP in 2006 and 2007. Thank god they didn't have that in the NL then.