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Four outdoor fields. Anti-espionage rules of high technology. A starting pitcher facing a single batter in a playoff game.
But beyond all the changes, analysis and broadcast on social media, here is the best way to tell Major League Baseball to have entered a new era: there are no more active players 20th century.
Not one.
Adrian Beltre and Bartolo Colon were last, said the Elias Sports Bureau. And with the 30 teams ready to play Thursday – from Bryce Harper's home debut at Citizens Bank Park to Mookie Betts and Boston Red Sox champion visiting Seattle – this year, MLB becomes the first of four major sports with no one among the players 1900s
The last time that was true in the big leagues? Already before the World Series do not exist.
Already this season, the great Ichiro Suzuki has retired, at 45 years after two games without a hit, while the Seattle Mariners had swept Oakland Toyko Dome.
"I really wanted to play until I was 50, but I could not do it," he said.
CC Sabathia, lefty of the Yankees, says it's his last year, as is Giants manager Bruce Bochy.
But, as always, youth is eternal. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr. and Eloy Jimenez lead a strong rookie of boppers who could stay for a while.
Will it be the next Mike Trout or Joe Mauer, or future Manny Machado or Chase Utley? We will see over the years.
In the meantime, after a long winter of waiting, it's time for everyone to play ball.
"The day of opening, since I was a child, I have the impression that it is a celebration of our sport, so it's something that I'm doing." I'm always looking forward to seeing, "said Yankees director Aaron Boone.
Here is an overview of Thursday's schedule:
MATCHUPS OF MARQUEE
Jacob deGrom, freshly recruited by the New York Mets, begins his match against Washington ace Max Scherzer at the Nationals Park. DeGrom won his first Cy Young Award last season and triple winner Scherzer finished second. This is a duel similar to Tropicana Field: Rakes, winner of AL Cy Young, Blake Snell, will face the second, Justin Verlander and the Astros.
DANDY BEGINNINGS
Harper makes his first swings since signing a $ 330 million deal with the Phillies (a record until Trout receives $ 426.5 million from the Angels shortly thereafter). Harper has five home runs on day one, tied with Albert Pujols and Ian Kinsler for most active players. He will face Julio Teheran and NL East Champion Braves. Harper is 18 years old for 50 (.450) with a personal record of eight homers against Atlanta right hand.
Machado starts in San Diego, Paul Goldschmidt in St. Louis, Robinson Cano was traded to the Mets, Nelson Cruz was replaced by Minnesota and Yasiel Puig is in Cincinnati.
Josh Donaldson has joined the Braves and should be in action this weekend. It will be Atlanta versus Philadelphia in Sunday Night's first baseball game on ESPN. These games will start an hour earlier this season.
Jump along
Brandon Hyde takes on the daunting task of managing the 115 lost Orioles. He is one of six new managers – Hyde, Charlie Montoyo (Blue Jays), David Bell (Reds), Rocco Baldelli (Twins) and Chris Woodward (Rangers) are newcomers. Brad Ausmus has been hired to replace long-time Angels skipper Mike Scioscia.
GOOD FORECAST
One year after an early snow wave and 54 total reports – the highest number since 1989 – no blizzard is expected. It could rain in Kansas City and possibly Oakland, but it should be sunny at Dodger Stadium and several other sites. We also helped MLB get off to a good start: Toronto, Tampa Bay, Seattle, Milwaukee and Miami are all open inside.
EXTEND THEIR SUCCESS
Chris Sale, who eliminated Machado to end the World Series and win the fourth title in 15 seasons in Boston, begins the opening game for the Red Sox, a victory of 108 wins. The third baseman of Sale, Trout, Verlander, Goldschmidt and Rockies, Nolan Arenado, was among the stars whose teams locked them up with long-term, rich contracts.
Craig Kimbrel, former Cy Young winner, Dallas Keuchel, was a free agent all winter and entered the opening day without a job.
OUCH!
Cleveland Francisco Lindor sprained his ankle while he was recovering from a contracted calf and will miss the opening day. Ace Dodgers Clayton Kershaw and Yankees starter Luis Severino are also absent. Astros star Carlos Correa, the improbable World Series MVP Steve Pearce and the Gennett scooter from the Reds candle are in trouble.
Shohei Ohtani, rookie of the year in the AL, will not play this season after Tommy John returns, but will be hit. Yankees Didi Gregorius is expected to return in the middle of the season.
Royals receiver Salvador Perez, Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer and Diamondbacks soldier Steven Souza Jr., injured this week during a spring training match, are absent for the year.
PARK IT HERE
The Texas Rangers begin their 26th and final season at their current stage before crossing the street into a new stadium with a retractable roof. A good way to remember their last year is the Fowl Pole, a two-pound chicken tender that's new to the Arlington Concessions menu. … The Arizona Diamondbacks have converted their turf to synthetic turf by joining Toronto and Tampa Bay as teams playing on synthetic surfaces. … The giant gaudy sculpture of Marlins Park Home Run has disappeared. Well, just not inside the park. It's outside on a place.
Overall, participation in the MLB declined for three consecutive seasons and last year the average dropped below 30,000 for the first time since 2003.
"We are a little behind last year, but we are optimistic about the recovery of things," said Commissioner Rob Manfred.
To help engage fans, MLB provides players with video clips that they can post on their Twitter accounts.
A WORLD AND A SERIES
After opening in Japan, the MLB crosses the pond for the first time, while the Yankees and Red Sox play twice at the Olympic Stadium in London at the end of June. There are two ensembles in Monterrey, Mexico: Cardinals-Reds in April and Astros-Angels in May. In addition, a Tigers-Royals game in Omaha, Nebraska, will be part of the World Series College festivities in June, and a Cubs-Pirates game in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in August, to accompany the Little League World Series.
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More MLB AP: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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