MLB Wants To Cut Down the Number of Games - I Hate It

There was a recent controversial proposal that came out this week from MLB in regards to negotiations with the players before the CBA expires. I'm going to talk about it here, and at the end of this article you will get an opportunity to vote in a poll. Let's dive in!

First of all, the proposal. Here's the text of the announcement itself from X:

Ignore the playoffs stuff and the additional context, and let's talk about the 154 game season proposed by MLB and the owners.

Before I get into this, let me just say one thing. I am completely against shortening the baseball season, even if it means some marginal benefits to the players.. Just wanted to get that out of the way.

Now, let's look at some baseball history for a minute. MLB actually had a 154 game season starting in 1920 through 1961. Then in 1962, they switched to the full 162 game season that we now enjoy.

The reduced schedule would give players additional rest days, but it would also cut eight games from the regular season, bringing it down to 154 games. MLB says this would help protect players from injuries and make the post-season more meaningful.

But honestly, I just don't agree with that. The full 162 games are what makes baseball, well, baseball. One of the best things about the sport is how long the season is. It's something that makes baseball different from other sports. Every game matters, but one bad week doesn't automatically ruin a team's entire season.

And think about it. Eight games might not sound like much, but that's eight fewer opportunities to watch your favorite team play. That's eight fewer chances to see a big moment happen, watch a player make history, or see your team pull off an important win. Some people might argue that eight games wouldn't make much of a difference in the playoff race, but close races happen all the time. Every single game counts.

I also get that some fans think the baseball season is too long, but personally, I don't really see that as a problem. Baseball gives people something to look forward to throughout the summer, and there's almost always a game to watch. That's part of what makes following a team so fun. You can watch them go through the ups and downs of an entire season instead of having everything decided in a much shorter period.

Now, I do kinda recognize the other side's arguments. More rest days could help players stay healthy, and having fewer games could make each one feel more important. MLB has also stated that it would not decrease pay for players despite the shorter schedule. I get why some fans might support the proposal, and those arguments aren't completely unreasonable.

But I think there's another side to this that people are missing. This proposal is also connected to MLB's plans for a salary cap and floor for players' salaries. The players' union has strongly opposed a salary cap, arguing that it would hurt players' rights. So this isn't just about taking eight games off the schedule. There's a much bigger disagreement happening between the owners and the players, and I think we need to pay attention to that, too.

At the end of the day, I don't think MLB should change something that's been such a big part of the sport for so long without a really good reason. I understand that there could be some benefits to a shorter season, but I just don't think cutting games is the right solution to the problems baseball is facing.

And there's one more thing I think is worth mentioning. A shorter season would give players fewer opportunities to chase and break long standing records. Think about some of the biggest moments in baseball history, when a player is getting close to a record and everyone is watching to see if they can do it. Those moments are part of what makes baseball exciting! And eliminating record chases would absolutely kill some of the fun of the game.

Important note: this wouldn't go into effect until 2029 assuming it even gets passed. The players' union is still reviewing the proposal, and there are plenty of other things that need to be considered before anything is decided.

So, what do you guys think? Should MLB go back to a154 game season, or should they stick with the full 162 games?

Vote in the poll below and let your voice be heard because I'm interested to see where you all stand!

Have your say: Do You Like MLB Proposal of Reducing the Number of Games From 162 to 154?

Voice your opinion on the poll: Do You Like MLB Proposal of Reducing the Number of Games From 162 to 154?

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