We are nearing a annual tradition. No, not pitchers and catchers reporting. No, not countless stories about how a player is in the best shape of their livs. I’m talking about the MLB vs. College challenge!
What is the MLB vs. College Challenge? Why, it’s the annual tradition in which MLB teams play College teams, usually to begin the pre-season schedule. It is a storied competition that totally is not something I just made up.
So, here’s the preview of this year’s MLB/College Challenge!
No Manatees: Once again missing this season is the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, formerly known as Manatee Community College. This truly hurts the College side in this year’s challenge, as they have beaten MLB competition not once, but TWICE! Clearly, Major League Baseball fears SCF-MS, and is dodging them like cowards.
States Divided: A common theme in the MLB vs. College Challenge is that which pits cities or states against each other. Minnesota Twins vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers. Miami Marlins vs. Miami Hurricanes. Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Arizona State Sun Devils. Boston Red Sox vs. Northeastern AND Boston College…ON THE SAME DAY! Truly, the drama of seeing such internal disputes being settled between Amateurs and Professionals is one of the great traditions of the MLB vs. College Challenge.
A Nation Divided: A unique installment of the MLB vs. College Challenge will take place on March 15, as the Toronto Blue Jays face the Canadian Jr. National Team. Oh, such drama. Where will the loyalties of Canadian Baseball Fans be? Can we ever possibly know?
The Ultimate Humiliation: How seriously does MLB take this challenge? It’s too horrible to truly say, to the point where we have never heard of the consequences that happen to those who lose. Some say this means that there are no consequences, that these are just pre-season exhibitions. We know better, however: THIS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS!
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LINKS!
Andrew McCutchen on how low-income children have a hard time playing baseball.
Marc Topkin on Grant Balfour and his father, who is suffering from terminal pancreatic cancer.
Jorge Arangure’s latest dispatch from Cuba is on a 56-year-old batboy.
Jeff Bradley on how Jose Bautista is giving back in Latin America.
SELF-PROMOTION OF THE WEEK: I’ve started a “30 Teams, 30 Posts” series in which I’ll write about every single team at least once between now and Opening Day. They won’t necessarily be previews – they could be reflections, humor, or anything else related to that specific team. The first covers the Phillies.
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Derek Jeter will not be attending Opening Day at Yankee Stadium this year, further proving that he actually died at the end of last season.
Rest in Peace, dear Captain.
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As always, you can see more of my work over at Baseball Continuum.
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