Finally
The baseball season officially begins in about a half-hour on ESPN2. And while I’ll watch the first batter (or ten), I agree with Jayson Stark when he says this wasn’t the best idea.
Think about it: A-Rod, the biggest Yankees steal from the Red Sox since Babe Ruth, in his first Yankee at-bat–at 5am Eastern. The first pitch of the season following one of the most exciting postseasons (Steve Bartman, Grady Little) in history. All of it taking place at a time conducive neither to most of the ones watching it or playing it. The D-Rays only got to play 18 games this spring; how can they possibly be ready?
It is very important for baseball’s well-being to market itself around the globe. I am a proponent of globalization in this regard. However, it would make more sense for MLB to leave the trips to the preseason or offseason, when a 12,000 mile trip won’t affect the teams so much.
Update
D-Rays win, 8-3. Yankees Suck.