The Unbridled Optimism Of MLB Spring Training
We look at why spring brings so much positivity and excitement for baseball fans every year and discuss a few telltale signs of anticipation.
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Pregame Pepper: The Ultimate Fuel For Optimists — Comeback Candidates!
Leading Off
The Rites Of Spring
By Ray Kuhn
Take my money. All of it.
Well, this year, maybe not all of it, as Fanatics and MLB might have done the wallets of many a favor. Either way, the point is clear and one felt by many.
Spring is all about new life. A rebirth of sorts. Everyone has a different interpretation of that as they prepare for the new season, both of baseball and life.
Flowers begin to bloom, the days get longer, and everyone is in the best shape of their lives. How can you not be optimistic?
At this point, there really are no downsides. I mean, maybe if you root for the Oakland A’s or Chicago White Sox (sorry to those fans), but even then, there is something you can be optimistic about. Not every team has a true path to the postseason, but at least in just about every case, you have reasons to be excited.
It really is difficult not to enjoy seeing players wearing your team’s colors frolicking in the warm sun of Florida or Arizona. While teams and players have their February rituals, fans do too, and that is certainly part of the fun.
In February, there are no extremes. Either everything is great or everything is terrible. You are either in or out on a player or team. Organizations either won or lost the offseason, and it is that simple. Of course, we know that by the time leaves fall to the ground once again, in the majority of cases, the middle ground is likely true.
There is something, though, about having the ability to let these feelings fester. How legitimate they are doesn’t truly matter, at least at this point, as there is the blank slate of a new season in front of us. At this point, Spring Training hasn’t even begun.
As we enjoy the first few days of full squad workouts heading into Spring Training games this weekend, there are a few things that I do to help me get in the spirit for the new year. There are many positives that come with being a baseball fan, and while everyone celebrates in their own way, there is something about the comfort that annual rituals bring.
It truly doesn’t matter how many Houston Astros hats I have, as without fail, there I am clicking away adding to my collection each spring. There is just something about starting the new season off with a fresh hat, and while it clearly is intentional, MLB certainly makes it quite easy. Not only is there a new on-field hat for 2024, but also a new Spring Training hat, and soon a new batting practice hat. While the latter hasn’t even been released, one can certainly impatiently wait.
With that being said, it has already been a few days since my new on-field hat has arrived, and there is something about the beauty of the unknown. At this point, who knows what magic the new season will bring and what memories will be made with the new hat.
Another rite of spring is a fresh box of baseball cards. When Topps Series 1 cards are released for the new season, there is something special about getting the box of cards in your hands and opening some fresh packs. The target here is all the games’ biggest stars, and there is something energizing about the optimism of seeing which cards you pull.
As we get ready for the new year, the other ritual that stands out for me is preparing for the upcoming fantasy baseball season. There is something about digging into the player pool, consuming content, and maybe even cracking open a magazine or draft guide that always excites me.
Everyone gets ready for the upcoming baseball season in their own way, and there is no wrong answer. The only right answer is to go about it in your own way, and to truly enjoy it. Every new baseball season and each spring really is a gift.
Ray Kuhn can be found covering Fantasy Sports on Fantrax and Fantasy Alarm after previously covering the Houston Astros as part of the FanSided network at Climbing Tal’s Hill. Reach him at @ray_kuhn_28 or raykuhn57@gmail.com as he is always interested in talking or writing about our great game.