Baseball’s Finale

date
Oct 24, 2024
Files & media
slug
Baseball’s-Finale
status
Published
tags
Baseball
Yankees
Mets
summary
The major League season has reached its final stage, October.
type
Post
Major League Baseball’s highly anticipated World Series begins tomorrow, featuring a showdown between two iconic franchises that have not met in the postseason going on forty three years: The Los Angeles Dodgers and The New York Yankees.
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Once both teams guaranteed their ticket to the postseason, baseball enthusiasts salivated at the prospect of these powerhouse teams colliding, knowing it would be a showcase of high-octane performances and playoff drama.
The allure of these two iconic franchises squaring off in October stretches beyond just wins and losses—it’s about history, tradition, and the immense talent on display.
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Unlike the surprisingly low viewership of last years Fall Classic, this one is bound to shatter ratings records.
The presence of two Japanese superstars in Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will draw a massive international audience of prideful supporters.
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This unprecedented international interest, fueled by national pride and the growing global influence of the game, promises to make this World Series a cultural and sporting event for the ages.
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Taking a step back, it’s important to recognize the captivating storylines that have shaped this journey. Along the way, certain teams like the Mets and Guardians exceeded expectations just to earn a spot in the postseason, defying odds and making their mark with countless magical performances.
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The Mets appear to be in a positive position after an unexpected journey to game six of the NLCS. Carlos Mendoza showed great promise and poise in his first year as manager. The team has a promising crop of young position players like Mark Vientos and Francisco Alvarez who gained valuable postseason experience while showcasing the ability to live up to the moment.
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Over $170 million in cap space now being made available with expiring contracts from 2023 coming to an end, opens the door for spending.
There are still crucial decisions to be made— first and foremost, the contract of Pete Alonso, also the revamped Sean Manaea and his impending free agency. Severino, Quintana, Bader, Winker, all require new deals also. The roster has the propensity to look quite different.
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Sterns will look to add aggressively in the winter and expect more young talent coming up from the farm to see the field in 2025.
Meanwhile, others, like the Phillies, Astros and Padres with dreams of hoisting the trophy, faltered under pressure and are now left to reflect on where it all went wrong.
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The Philadelphia Phillies have taken a step toward maintaining stability by extending Manager Rob Thomson’s contract through 2026.
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Despite uncertainties surrounding the future of the team’s core, the front office is betting on Thomson’s leadership to steer the ship.
Whether or not the current roster remains intact is a matter of speculation, but the decision to lock in Thomson signals the Phillies’ belief in his ability to guide the team through any potential transitions.
Meanwhile, the San Diego Padres are left grappling with yet another confounding end to a season where expectations were sky-high.
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On paper, the Padres had all the pieces to make a serious run at the World Series, yet once again they fell short. However, for Padres fans, there may be reason for optimism. This season, the team got younger, and stars stayed healthy for the most part.
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Jackson Merrill, in particular, has shown flashes of brilliance, and there’s every reason to believe he could become a cornerstone for the Padres for years to come. While this year may feel like a missed opportunity, the team’s infusion of young talent points to a promising future.
As the dust settles on another rollercoaster postseason, the road to the World Series has been paved with twists and turns, surprises, and heartbreaks. Yet, the journey has culminated in this marquee matchup between baseball royalty.
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Ohtani, Freeman, Betts, Soto, Judge—these names define the modern era of Major League Baseball. Each of these players has not only elevated their respective teams but also solidified their places among the sport’s all-time greats.
Fresh off becoming the first player in MLB history to achieve a 50-home run, 50-stolen base season, Ohtani has transcended the boundaries of what was once thought possible on the field. He continues to shatter expectations as a two-way phenom, and now, as he enters the World Series, he’s more than prepared to live up to his reputation on the grandest stage of all.
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Adding to the excitement, recent reports from the media have hinted that Ohtani may be healthy enough to serve as a high-leverage bullpen arm if the series calls for it. Although a very remote possibility at this point, imagine the spectacle of Aaron Judge stepping up to the plate in a pivotal at-bat, with Ohtani on the mound—a matchup that could easily go down in baseball lore. It's the kind of moment that gives fans of the game goosebumps.
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Adding to the lore is the uncertainty of the Yankees star right fielder’s upcoming free agency. In a contract year where Juan Soto is expected to command astronomical sums, he has done nothing but increase the billing by consistently delivering under the spotlight. Game after game, he has proven why he's destined for a record-breaking payday. There's little doubt that Soto will seize this opportunity to cement his status as one of the highest-paid players in baseball history.
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This World Series is set to deliver thrilling, high-stakes action. While neither team is flawless, both rosters are stacked with some of the most talented players in baseball, creating an atmosphere worthy of a true championship. The imperfections only add to the drama, the fans will bring everything they have, the anxiety will undoubtedly be present. The kind of showdown that embodies the essence of October baseball.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

© Joseph Valentino 2021 - 2024