Field of Dreams?
People around America are trickling back to work this week. Not enough of them, but it’s a start. We are probably all agreed that there isn’t a “normal” that we’re going to be getting back to, but we’ve at least begun moving towards “less weird” now.
Sports freaks have been jonesing for something — anything — new to watch. We know that none of us will be able to see anything in person for a while because of the aforementioned abandonment of normal, but we’re craving the return of sports to television, which began with the UFC coming back this past weekend.
Baseball fans got the tease news that we have been waiting for when it was reported that Major League Baseball owners finally formalized a plan to pass along to the players, government, and health officials for approval. Up until this point, nothing concrete had been agreed on.
Here are some details from The Hill:
Spring training would begin in mid-June for three weeks, according to The Associated Press, with an 82-game regular season beginning in early July.
In an effort to cut down on travel, most of the games would be played against opponents in expanded divisions based on geography. The New York Mets and Yankees would play in the same division, for example, as would the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels, Chicago Cubs and White Sox, or Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants.
The playoffs, which have consisted of 10 teams since 2012, would be expanded to 14 teams.
Again, not normal but not nothing.
Baby steps.
This seems to set up a scenario where two teams from the same league could end up playing each other in the World Series. I’ve checked and haven’t been able to find any clarification on that yet.
The article also says that teams will have the option of playing “spring” training games at their home fields or their traditional facilities in Florida and Arizona. I can’t really imagine any team wanting to play in Phoenix in June.
I am aware that not everyone is a baseball fan, or even a sports fan. We are, however, still a sports-mad country. There is a lot of psychological damage that’s come with the physical and economic toll this virus has taken. Collective feel-good, rallying points like sporting events can have an enormous healing effect. Think of President George W. Bush’s appearance at the World Series in Yankee Stadium in 2001 shortly after the September 11th attacks.
Looking at an empty baseball stadium will be strange, of course (unless you’re a Miami Marlins fan) but just seeing the players on the field could be a much-needed emotional salve for an aching country.
Maybe I’m just being selfish and this would only make me happy.
I hope that’s not the case.
This Is Getting Tedious
This is how dumb journalists are. Still, you knew it was coming. So predictable… @stephenkruiser https://t.co/e6v9JCiGec
— Michael Walsh (@dkahanerules) May 11, 2020
There have been a number of these kinds of tweets and headlines as people have slowly returned to work. The implication is that the reopening of these states is leading to an almost immediate spike in infections. That, of course, is absolute rubbish. It’s also exceedingly irresponsible “reporting.” This epitomizes why so many despise those masquerading as journalists.
I Really Do Like His Style
The Lamestream Media is truly out of control. Look how they work (conspire!) together. They are the Enemy of the People, but don’t worry, we will WIN in November! https://t.co/3YOSChXP9M
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2020
Cocaine Mitch Is #Evergreen Here
Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell says former President Barack Obama "should have kept his mouth shut" instead of criticizing US coronavirus response https://t.co/QIs220iFty pic.twitter.com/xfcVu2QYvK
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) May 12, 2020
OUR NATIONAL TREASURE
Betty White to star in new Lifetime holiday film at 98 years old https://t.co/MSg9PPcKRe pic.twitter.com/fy4xu52WMt
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 11, 2020
PJM Linktank
My Tuesday column: Time to Perp-Walk Barack Obama and Joe Biden
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Apparently the Virus Is Over: Patrons Pack Colorado Restaurant
Can We Stop With the Deceptive Media Clips That Carry Water for the CCP?
Most people don’t wear them properly. Masks are stupid. This Meme Just Came True for LA’s Beaches
She thinks the moon landings were faked. Is Dr. Birx a COVID Count Conspiracy Theorist Now?
Barack Obama is Worried About Something, That Is Obvious
Yes. Militia Mobilizes to Block Arrest of 77-Year-Old Michigan Barber Who Reopened
NY Nursing Homes Can FINALLY Turn Away COVID-Positive Patients, Must Report Staff Cases
McCarthy Surprises Levin, Says Pelosi Has Blocked Bipartisan China Investigation Committee
Report: 90% of One Texas County’s New COVID Cases Are in One Federal Prison
Canadian ‘Anti-Hate’ Activists Get Real Estate Agent Fired for Daring to Criticize ‘Allahu Akbar’
Trump: ‘OBAMAGATE Makes Watergate Look Small Time!’
The Real Reason for Flynn’s First Firing
VIP
VodkaPundit, Part Deux: Remember Joe Biden?
When You Accuse Someone of Treason, Be Careful What You Wish For
The Deep State Strikes Back: Former DOJ, FBI Staff Support the Despicable Abuses Against Mike Flynn
VIP Gold
Biden Appears to Have His ‘Binders Full of Women’ Moment
Another Critic Of China’s Coronavirus Response Disappears
From the Mothership and Beyond
Anti-Gunners Want To Take Texas Like They Did Virginia
Armed Citizen Stops Brutal Beating Of Elderly Neighbor
Northam Relents: Indoor Ranges To Reopen May 15th
COVID Kills the First Amendment
The White House Just Delivered a Financial Blow to China
Trump Shuts Down Coronavirus Press Conference After Reporters Start Asking ‘Nasty’ Questions
HBO’s John Oliver Pulls a Chuck Todd and Uses Out of Context Video to Attack AG Barr
Will Bernie Run for President Again? He Gets Candid.
Pelosi Let Down Her Guard and Revealed Dems’ Next Coronavirus Stimulus Move
Janice Dean’s Brutal Message for Andrew Cuomo Regarding His Nursing Home Policy
As More NY Prisoners Are Released, Victims’ Families Are Taking Matters into Their Own Hands
Zing: Fox News Reporter Gets the Last Laugh After ABC News Journo Jon Karl Tries Some Mask-Shaming
Balls to the Wall: Durham Moving Ahead at Full Throttle
‘Undercover Huber’ Rips Former Obama US Attorney (Now NBC Analyst) When She Defends FBI on Flynn
Kira: You Didn’t Shoot Ahmaud Arbery
More Resistance in Michigan: Mayor of Perry Opens up the Town, Defying Gov. Whitmer
Life Flight’s New Protection Against COVID-19: A Cleaning Robot
Doctor Shocked To Find Packed United Flight For Trip Home
Antibody Tests Of Thousands Of MLB Personnel Show Prevalence Of … Around One Percent
Radio Silence: Late Night Hosts Loved Attacking Trump But Haven’t Said A Word About Tara Reade
Delta Is “Consolidating” Their Routes And Dropping Several Cities
CBS News’ Weijia Jiang does her damnedest to turn Donald Trump’s response to her question into a racist attack (SPOILER: It wasn’t); UPDATED
Two Catholic economists urge end to stay-at-home orders in COVID-19 response
Floridians protest gym closures with push-ups and squats outside courthouse
Bee Me
California Allows Churches To Reopen As Long As Members Drink Blood Of Slain Goat, Renounce Christ https://t.co/zgmu1j8YPr
— The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) May 11, 2020
The Kruiser Kabana
splendid Street Art! pic.twitter.com/9PlU9PhBkj
— Street Art Magic (@streetartmagic) May 11, 2020
I think I’m the only American not baking bread during quarantine.
___
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PJ Media Senior Columnist and Associate Editor Stephen Kruiser is the author of “Don’t Let the Hippies Shower” and “Straight Outta Feelings: Political Zen in the Age of Outrage,” both of which address serious subjects in a humorous way. Monday through Friday he edits PJ Media’s “Morning Briefing.” His columns appear every Tuesday and Friday.
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