I like both but don’t follow very closely. There’s just something laid back about watching an MLB game. I wish they’d play less games to make the games mean more and generate some interest.
How many times does the division race come down to the last couple games of the season? Every game is meaningful (unless you're a Rockies or Nats fan).
That's kinda the point of baseball, though. You're supposed to be able to relax and enjoy the game. It's America's pastime!
Yeah, baseball's it's own thing. Unfortunately, it runs counter to societal norms these days. Slowing down to take in a game isn't what people want. And baseball is certainly more cerebral, which runs counter to society. I saw a great clip of Greg Maddux and his catcher at the time talking about how they were facing the Astros and Bagwell (I think) was up to the plate. The game was such that Maddux allowed a meaningless homer to Bagwell. His catcher was annoyed, but Maddux told him "they're a good team, so we'll probably face them in the playoffs. He'll remember that pitch he homered off." Sure enough, a few months later, they are playing the Astros and Bagwell is up with runners on. Maddux used the pitch sequence from the previous game to strike Bagwell out on 3 pitches. His catcher said as they were walking back to the dugout "do you remember that pitch?" He did not and Maddux reminded him of the game in the regular season when Bagwell homered. Catcher just shook his head.
I like the long schedule in baseball. During most of the regular season, no game feels like the entire season hangs in the balance. So it's easier to relax. But it's still neat, as noted above, that even after 162 games, you can come down the final week of the season with divisions still in doubt. The long season also sorts out the real deals from the wannabes. You might play scorching hot for a week or two or even a month, but can you sustain it? Some hitters have put up HOF worthy stats before the All Star break but look like a no-name journeyman after the break.
