MLB 2011: 10 Topics We Will Get Sick of Hearing During the 2011 MLB Season
The 2011 MLB season is just about a month away from Opening Night, and with it brings hopes and dreams for teams, players and fans alike.
The grass is being cut with new patterns, the popcorn machines are being serviced and the cotton candy is being placed on sticks.
Baseball is upon us all.
But the season is a long one. That being said, records will be broken, players will change teams and rumors will swirl.
Rivalries will be renewed, rookies will make immediate impacts and games will excite us as players—new and old—get us going about our national pastime.
But I am not naive enough to believe that it is all roses. Many things will aggravate us to no end—and I am not even talking about the over-inflated ticket prices and throws over to first base.
As we embark on another season and go to ballparks around the country, here are 10 stories that will make us sick during the upcoming season.
10. Why Isn't Bryce Harper Up with the Washington Nationals Yet?
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The number one selection of last year's MLB Draft will begin the season in the minors, and by every indication, that is where he will stay all year.
This will not sit well with the fans of the Washington Nationals.
Phenom pitcher Stephen Strasburg will miss the entire season following Tommy John surgery. Jayson Werth will prove to be a poor signing by June, when teams realize that he has absolutely no protection around him, and the losing will get to everyone.
Fans will want the team to call up Harper so that they have a reason to attend the games.
Don't hold your collective breaths.
9. Albert Pujols' Contract Situation
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Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals were unable to come to terms on a new contract extension before the self-imposed deadline set by Pujols.
Because of that, he will not negotiate with the team during the season, yet he has already gone on record as stating that he would veto any trade.
The Cardinals say that they cannot afford to sign him to a contract worth $30 million annually.
Pujols says that they cannot afford not to re-sign him.
This will not get worked out at any point this season, yet it will be a topic of discussion for the next seven or eight months.
8. Which Manager Is on the Hot Seat, and Will Bobby Valentine Replace Them?
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Bobby Valentine works as an analyst for ESPN. He was a former manager for the New York Mets as well as in Japan.
He is hardly Connie Mack, yet his name is mentioned every time a manager is fired or on the hot seat.
I cannot for the life of me explain why.
Valentine was a good manager. But the attention he receives is a bit ridiculous.
And what job does he want? He has turned down offers by the Florida Marlins, Baltimore Orioles and countless other teams.
Either way, plenty of managers will either lose their jobs or be threatened to be let go at numerous points this season.
In a way, the watch has already started.
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7. When Will the Chicago Cubs Stop Fighting in the Clubhouse?
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The Chicago Cubs have a thing about fighting in the clubhouse—especially when it comes to pitchers named Carlos.
We all know about Carlos Zambrano, but now Carlos Silva got into a scuffle with players yesterday after the team committed three more errors, giving them nine in the first three games.
This could be a long season for the Cubs, but they might as well work on getting together with each other.
It may make the losing a little easier.
6. Why Do the Umpires Think They Are Bigger than the Players?
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Officiating in every sports has gotten progressively worse, and the fact that the umpires feel that they are as big of a draw as the players is nauseating.
Joe West is the worst offender, because he makes the headlines to promote his new country music albums.
Can you imagine the tunes on those track lists?
Stick to baseball, and realize that fans pay to watch the players—not the umps.
5. Who Will the New York Yankees Acquire To Turn Their Season Around?
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The New York Yankees have no problem pulling the trigger on a big trade. At least, they never have in the past.
This is still a strong Yankees team, especially on offense. But it remains to be seen if the pitching staff can hold up well enough to keep them in contention. The early prediction is that they will not be as successful.
C.C. Sabathia will have a great season because he can opt out of his contract after this season. Phil Hughes will be their No. 2 starter, but is probably better suited as the third man in the rotation.
Nobody knows what A.J. Burnett will bring to the mound on a nightly basis—besides his fair share of walks.
After that, they will have flashes from the past looking to rejuvenate their careers, including Bartolo Colon and Mark Prior.
That will undoubtedly fail miserably, so look for names such as Francisco Liriano and Felix Hernandez to surface early and often.
4. Fredi Gonzalez Is Not Bobby Cox
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Fredi Gonzalez did an excellent job with the Florida Marlins. He was more or less the heir apparent to Bobby Cox with the Atlanta Braves for a long time, even while managing the Marlins.
But he is not Cox, who will be overseeing things in Atlanta. Can he come to grips that he did in fact retire and try not to get too involved with the managerial duties?
Braves fans better hope so for the team's sake.
3. What about the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox Rivalry?
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It is the best rivalry in all of baseball, as far as many are concerned. I'm sure that the fans who love watching the San Francisco Giants battle the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs take on the St. Louis Cardinals disagree.
Unfortunately for them, they are wrong.
But regardless, the hype surrounding this rivalry gets old. Especially when they talk so much about a two-game series in the middle of June.
They say that every game counts and some are bigger than others.
Not in the first few months of the season, though. They play 19 times.
2. Who Is Taking Illegal Performance Drugs This Season?
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Yes, Major League Baseball has a steroid policy in place—but it is not airtight.
Players are still able to use certain enhancing drugs that improve their play or ability to stay healthy.
Even if they don't, the fans and media still believe that they are, so will this issue truly ever be resolved?
Last season, it was Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays, after he hit more home runs in one season than he had in his career entering last year.
Who will be the target this season?
1. Why Is Bud Selig Still Here?
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Alex Rodriguez.
A.J. Pierzynski.
Carl Pavano.
Manny Ramirez.
Kevin Youkilis.
Those are just some of the names who routinely appear on most hated lists amongst Major League Baseball.
Yet no man is more disliked than Commissioner Bud Selig, who still maintains that this will be his last season in office.
I will believe it when I see it with my own eyes.
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