# MLB: July 2023 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [July 2, 2023, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430 "2023-07-02T01:00:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2023, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/61 "2023-07-12T21:52:14Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Oh, of course. It’s all a money grab. I don’t mind the City Connect unis - I actually really like the vast majority of them. But who the hell is buying an All Star uniform? Maybe attendees of the game itself looking for a cool souvenir? Maybe people like a player such as Ohtani but don’t like the Angels? I can’t imagine it’s a huge group, even with the knowledge that Ohtani won’t be an Angel for much longer. I can’t imagine wanting an American or National league jersey, even if I was at the All Star Game myself ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/62 "2023-07-13T12:44:28Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I am 100% certain that they went to the special uniforms specifically to push even more crap to sell to fans. Oh but of course. That’s also why most teams have three or four uniforms now. If I wanted every Blue Jays jersey they wear in the regular season I’d have to buy FIVE: home white, home baby blue, home red, road grey, universal dark blue. Plus they’ll get a “City Connect” jersey. These things cost $150-$300 depending on the quality level you check in at. It’s unreal. The fun of them wearing their own uniforms is a bad loss. I LIKE most of the changes they have made; I like expanded playoffs, I like the pitch clock, I like bigger bases and limiting pickoff attempts, I like instant replay. But mixing the AL and NL together has no upside at all that I can see. It was a major part of the charm of MLB. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/63 "2023-07-13T12:45:02Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I can’t imagine it’s a huge group, even with the knowledge that Ohtani won’t be an Angel for much longer. Don’t assume Arte Moreno won’t throw $800 million at him. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/64 "2023-07-13T12:48:07Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > But mixing the AL and NL together has no upside at all that I can see. It allows the leagues to have the same (odd) number of teams, and each division to have five teams. That’s the only upside that I’ve found. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/65 "2023-07-13T12:54:40Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > It allows the leagues to have the same (odd) number of teams, and each division to have five teams. That’s the only upside that I’ve found. Yes, as it stands, that’s true. We don’t need the odd 16-14 split we had (or the 14-12 split from 1977-1992.) Expansion in the next 5-10 years is likely, bringing us to 16-16. Where those two teams will be I don’t know, but there’s a lot of talk about this, and if they can find two billionaires happy to pay the expansion fee it’s overdue. If they do that, the logical structure would be for each league to have two divisions, East and West, of eight teams. They you have two division champs that get a bye, and four wild cards. That just makes more sense to me; if you’re gonna have two byes, you have two divisions, you don’t lump a division champion in with the wild cards. You also avoid the current likely travesty of a bullshit AL Central team making the playoffs over a team with a winning record; as it stands, Cleveland is in the playoffs but the Yankees, Red Sox, AND Mariners, with better records, aren’t. You can go entirely in-league for 162 games by playing 14 games against opponents in your division, 8 the other division, though I acknowledge 8 games is inconvenient for scheduling. You could go 16 in / 6 out for 160 games but the 162 number seems sacred to some folks. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/66 "2023-07-13T13:28:20Z")
Back when interleague play was new and unusual, I advocated for a rule change: when an American League team played in a National League stadium, use American League rules (and vice versa for the opposite). That way, fans would get to see the other style of play. Kind of expanding the fans’ horizons. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/67 "2023-07-13T13:42:45Z")
Interleague play was started for one reason only- to have the Yankees and Mets play and sell out their parks. Then it became a necessary evil with 15 team leagues. It would be nice to eliminate it with 32 teams. Do we really need to suffer with Tigers-Rockies and Royals-Marlins games where there is no rivalry or history just so we can have Yankees-Mets? Alas- to the powers that be the answer is yes. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/68 "2023-07-13T13:47:53Z")
I would agree that’s why they did it, but of course, it’s shortsighted, like how they just endlessly, endlessly market Yankees-Red Sox games (they’re not as bad as they used to be, I should point out.) It’s like drug use; it might seem like it feels good at the time but long term it’s not good for the sport. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/69 "2023-07-13T15:44:17Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I can’t imagine wanting an American or National league jersey, even if I was at the All Star Game myself I bought one before the game. The color of the America League is similar to the Mariners’ jersey anyway, and I don’t think of it as AL, as much as Julio Rodrequez. But yes, the reason is sales. They’re almost $200 each, and the stadium was full of them. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/70 "2023-07-13T18:19:30Z")
The 2024 MLB schedule has been released. > **[Baseball News](https://www.mlb.com/news)** > > The official news source of Major League Baseball including previews, recaps, trades, rumors, press releases and more. Not sure I’d be booking non refundable hotels in the Bay Area for A’s games. I also doubt it is set in stone as I doubt the concert schedule for next year is out and teams may need to shuffle things around to squeeze in that sweet concert revenue as well. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/71 "2023-07-13T18:28:03Z")
I saw the announcement of the Brewers’ schedule for next year on their Facebook page a little while ago. It just strikes me as strange to announce next year’s schedules, when we’re only at the halfway point for _this_ season. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/72 "2023-07-13T18:47:30Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > It just strikes me as strange to announce next year’s schedules, when we’re only at the halfway point for _this_ season. I assume it gives something for MLB network to talk about on the slowest day of the baseball season but still kinda silly. The NFL hypes their schedule release to death, but at least I understand destination travel for NFL games and it isn’t released this far in advance. The only thing I can really look at an MLB schedule this early for is if a team has a lot of games in iffy weather for the first few weeks of the season as weather postponements are common. I’d rather not start the season with a ton of games in outdoor parks in the Midwest and Northeast in April if I can avoid it as a ball club. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/73 "2023-07-13T18:59:45Z")
I don’t understand why the tend to book almost back to back series for teams that play only two during the season. For example, the Guardians play Boston from April 15-18. Then a week later they play in Boston from the 23rd to the 25th. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/74 "2023-07-13T18:59:54Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > The NFL hypes their schedule release to death, but at least I understand destination travel for NFL games and it isn’t released this far in advance. Indeed; the NFL can’t even determine a team’s opponents for the next season, until the conclusion of the current regular season, as the final regular-season standings are a factor in that list of opponents. (And, for the record, the NFL announces its schedule in May, about four months before the start of the season.) ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/75 "2023-07-13T20:14:54Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Not sure I’d be booking non refundable hotels in the Bay Area for A’s games. The As’ lease in Oakland expires after the 2024 season - I don’t foresee them moving to Vegas this off-season. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/76 "2023-07-13T23:22:00Z")
I’ve been enjoying the 1979 All Star Game tonight, also played in Seattle. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jkYDqgpjY0w/hqdefault.jpg "1979 MLB All Star Game SEATTLE Original NBC Broadcast") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkYDqgpjY0w) Now, NBC, how about that 1980 Olympics coverage from Moscow that you’re talking about! 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/77 "2023-07-14T17:40:33Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > The As’ lease in Oakland expires after the 2024 season - I don’t foresee them moving to Vegas this off-season. They’re not going to have a stadium in Vegas by April 2025, so I have no damned idea what they’re doing to do. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/78 "2023-07-14T17:48:11Z")
Take over the Aviator’s field (the imaginatively named Las Vegas Ballpark.) Or Earl E. Wilson Field at UNLV. No way in Hell they get that new stadium built before the 2026 season. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/79 "2023-07-14T17:50:15Z")
I thought I heard they would consider playing in the Aviators’ space, but it’s a 10,000 capacity open air stadium that is in no way suited for the MLB. There are a handful of sentences online that suggest it could be easily retro-fitted for more outfield seating. Okay - so let’s bump it up to a very generous 25,000 capacity. That’s fine for Vegas - they’re not going to sell 25k tickets a game during the regular season anyway, and they can charge top 5 ticket prices to make up for the lost revenue. But then you have to watch a baseball game in Vegas outside. Do they make sure all the games start at 9pm? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/80 "2023-07-14T17:58:22Z")
The Aviators start their home games at 7:05pm. Historically, the average temperature at that time of day in the summer is 95°F. 9pm isn’t much better at 92°F. I wonder if MLB could schedule the Wandering A’s into Petco, Oracle or Excite Parks when the home team is playing away. Heck, make an offer to use [LoanMart Field](https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/t_16x9/t_w2208/mlb/kie7fflsnbyiui39qlc5)! It’s not like they are going to draw 10K+ people those years. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430.md?page=5)