Welcome though it is — particularly for us nickel-and-dimers who’ve cut the cord of whole-lotta-nuthin cable TV, as the game will be streamed on Peacock — let’s switch leagues for a minute, over to one that’s becoming near to unwatchable.
Steve Kerr, the eminent coach of the Golden State Warriors, recently pushed for lopping 10 games off the 82-game N.B.A. schedule — for injury relief, for better competition and less grind, for more sanity.
It’s too good of an idea ever to come to pass, but still, M.L.B., lately in thrall to groundbreaking rules changes like the pitch clock, really should consider cutting back from 162 games to 154.
That was the number through the glory years, having kicked in in 1920, not coincidentally the start of the live-ball era, and Babe Ruth’s first season with the Yankees. It wasn’t ushered out until 1961 in the American League (see: Roger Maris and his asterisked 61 home runs) and 1962 in the National League, the “senior circuit” that was once more tradition-bound (e.g., reluctantly admitting only four years ago that maybe fans would rather not see pitchers try to hit).
What’s good about 154 is it’s shortened just enough to edge out March play on the front end, which was never meant to be, the contrast from the warmth of the Arizona and South Florida spring training climes too jarring, while also circumventing the “October Classic” World Series’s spillover into November, when the nation’s minds turn to the holidays.
What about the way the league has expanded, you ask? What about balance of schedule? Well, the league could simply double down on geographically concentrated competition. Either that or how about canning the novelty of interleague play once and for all? Because what would you rather see, the Kansas City Royals come to town again, or more rivalry games that really matter against the N.L. East teams the 7 train riders to Citi Field love to hate, the Phillies and the Braves?
For now, sports fans, we’ll have to take what we can get, when we can get it. Play ball.