The 2021 MLB season has been arguably the most unique season in the history of baseball. We’ve had lots to talk about. Let’s recap the first month of the season, which is April.
The MLB All-Star Game this year was supposed to be held at Truist Park (formerly Suntrust) in Atlanta. Due to protests surrounding the Georgia election laws, the MLB moved it to Colorado. The game will take place on July 13th.
In a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves, it was tied 6-6 in the 9th inning. Phillies shortstop Didi Gregorius hit the ball to left field, the Braves left fielder caught it and threw it home, where it appeared that Phillies 3rd baseman Alec Bohm didn’t touch home plate, but the umpire ruled Bohm safe and the Phillies won, 7-6. Also, in a Miami Marlins-New York Mets game, the Marlins entered the bottom of the 9th leading 2-1. But a New York home run tied it up at 2 apiece. With the bases loaded and 2 outs, the Miami pitcher threw a pitch that was a strike. But the umpire said that the pitch hit Michael Conforto, he walked to first base, walked it off, and the Mets won 3-2.
In the NL West, there’s a very exciting race for the division between the World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. When they face off against each other, it’s always an entertaining game. Fans are calling it “must-watch television”. However, they don’t play again until June.
There were 2 no-hitters this year. Carlos Rodon of the Chicago White Sox no-hit the Indians. He almost had a perfect game, but an error and a hit by pitch prevented that. Joe Musgrove of the San Diego Padres no-hit the Texas Rangers, who recently got a new stadium that fans are filling up to capacity. Not only was it the first no-hitter of his career, it was the first no-hitter in the history of the Padres. Madison Bumgarner had a 7-inning no-hitter against Atlanta that doesn’t officially count in the record books. I personally think it doesn’t make any sense, because an actual game counts but historic moments that happen during the 7-inning games don’t count. It’s just….unfair.
One of the most surprising things this season is the struggles of the New York Yankees. They were anticipated to be a competitor for the World Series, but are currently tied for last place in the AL East at 12-14 while their archrival, the Boston Red Sox went on a 9-game winning streak and are currently leading the division. The Houston Astros were one of the hottest teams in the league to start the year. But they went on a cold spell, yet they still have a winning record of 14-12 and are 3rd in the AL West. During a road game against the L.A Angels, an Angels fan threw a trash can on the field because the Astros got in big trouble with the MLB for banging on trash cans as signs in January 2020.
It was a crazy month of baseball, but there’s plenty of time for more surprises. We will see how this season turns out.
