Just a question – do you know when MLB opens the day? No, seriously, without looking, when is baseball coming back? Did you hear or see any commercials? Of course not. Coming out of a year of isolation and quarantine, in which we, as fans of the sport, claim the sport on our screens, you would think that “America’s Pastime” would shout from the top of the mountain that it will return soon.
So when does the baseball season start? Exactly one week from today. What a missed opportunity, MLB.
Not only does major league baseball essentially choose not to advertise, but they lack an amazing opportunity to change the league’s tone and vision to the general public. Major League Baseball continues to be wrapped in white Americana, apple pie and hot dogs and would rather play “Centerfield” by John Fogerty than try to be new, fresh, youthful and / or interesting. Here is an alternative option:
Different, right? Imagine a baseball league that promotes – and stays with me here, because it’s pretty radical – fun. You have a league full of superstar talent, but not rock stars like the ones you see in the NBA and NFL and that falls directly on the shoulders of a league trying to cling to an outdated identity instead of embracing hip hop culture and individuality. they are players.
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Aside from (and maybe even including) baseball in the playoffs, I’m not sure I ever had more fun in baseball than when I was treated to the World Baseball Classic 2017. I had fun because the players had fun. They were passionate, they were strong, they were brilliant, we celebrated their nationalities and cultures – that was all MLB is not. Just look at this cut by Javier Baez, including the coolest thing I’ve ever seen on a baseball diamond – he’s celebrating a second tag, just before he catches the ball and makes a label without appearance.
That’s what baseball should look like. The hot dog and apple pie days are over. If Major League Baseball wants to appeal to a new generation of sports fans (unlike the same fans who listen to ragtime music while eating their 16:00 special), we need passion, enthusiasm and not just a skill. for players to express themselves, but a spotlight celebrating this.