MLB
Biggest Takeaways from MLB Opening Day
After the MLB has been suspended for almost 5 months, 2020 Opening Day was unlike any other with some major takeaways to know going forward
Jeff Roberson/AP Images
The 2020 MLB season is underway as fans can expect to see wild stats, unheralded award winners, and even a 16-game playoff system for the first time in MLB History. As viewers tuned in to a live meaningful baseball game for the first time in 267 days, they witnessed some of the best MLB franchises of the 2010’s take the field with many interesting takeaways from a truly unique day in sports history.
The first of many for Mookie in Dodger blue. #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/qc74Jmkzzs
— MLB (@MLB) July 24, 2020
This will go down as the longest baseball drought of all-time https://t.co/vq2L9m8JuJ
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 24, 2020
MLB Opening Day is finally in the books and sports are officially back for the first time in 4 months. After the MLB spent months disputing with the MLBPA on the safest and most effective way to have a season, fans finally have something to cheer for. Due to the social unrest in the US, players are inspired by a new movement that allows them to stand up for what they believe in by showing their support for Black Lives Matter. Hopefully, the camaraderie of sports can continue to bring people together from all different backgrounds during a time the country needs it the most.
Of course, this season will never be the same due to COVID-19 guidelines and no fans in the stands, but today showed a glimpse of hope for broadcasting sports. MLB’s Opening Day proved that with some artificial crowd noise and cutouts of fans in front of camera, the effects aren’t that bad and even allows for some things to be heard from players that wouldn’t otherwise be known to a national audience. The stadiums are so quiet that managers are able to communicate with the bullpen without using the phone for all the teams pitching necessities. Beyond the less appealing aspect of no fans, it’s going to be interesting to have a season of sports being played candidly enough for fans to get a more behind the scenes observation.
The Yankees handed the 29 year-old the largest contract ever for any pitcher in the history of Major League Baseball. In Cole’s first appearance for the Evil Empire, he rebounded from an early mistake to Adam Eaton with an absolute dominant performance. The former first round pick recorded a 1-hit complete game as the Yankees captured a 4-1 win versus the defending World Series Champions. Yankees fans have a lot to be excited about as Gerrit Cole is looking for a Cy Young-caliber season which is something they haven’t seen in the Bronx since Roger Clemens did it in 2001.
Four hits, five RBI. @kikehndez had himself a stellar #OpeningDay.
— MLB (@MLB) July 24, 2020
(MLB x @GEICO) pic.twitter.com/5RZDaBtrMW
With Mookie Betts being the headliner of the 2nd game of Opening Day, many expected some fireworks from the heart of the lineup that includes multiple MVPs. Instead, Enrique “Kike” Hernandez’s had a coming out party as the versatile defender showed his offensive prowess in the city of Angels. With Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts, and Justin Turner in the lineup, few expected Kike Hernandez to be the player of the day, but his 4 hits and 5 RBI’s helped kick-start the Dodgers season with an 8-1 win over their division rival from the Bay.
The 1st homer of 2020 belongs to @Giancarlo818. 💪 pic.twitter.com/Q1cZCu7m0E
— MLB (@MLB) July 23, 2020
After dealing with a ridiculous amount of injuries, Giancarlo Stanton missed the majority of the 2019 MLB season as he watched the Yankees exit the playoffs vs. the AL Champion Houston Astros from the sidelines. Fast forward to the 2020 season and Stanton’s looking like the biggest benefactor of the season’s delay. The 30-year-old started the season with a massive 2 run bomb off 3x Cy Young Winner Max Scherzer.
The Twin Towers of New York looked the part against the reigning champs as Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge showed how fierce they could be in the heart of one of the best lineups in baseball as Judge added on to Stanton’s 3 RBI’s for all of the Yankees Opening Day run production.
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