The MLB had one of the most historic and dreadful offseasons in the history of sports. The Lockdown caused many players and organizations to delay the start of spring training and other team related events. At 99 days, the lockout was the second longest work stoppage in baseball history, behind only the 1994-95 player’s strike which was 232 days. This revolutionary lockdown will turn out to be one of the craziest events in baseball history.
With the lockout being officially over, there’s a lot that must get done in a short amount of time. Opening Day was tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 7, giving teams four weeks to hold spring training and finish all their offseason business. These delays have already made there mark on the entire two months designated to Spring Training.
The MLB lockout achieved many of the players’ wants and needs for their incentives going into the upcoming years. Some of the newly sought out incentives include: a five-year collective bargaining agreement which will increase pay for young players and better incentivize teams to compete, among other provisions. This deal was nearly derailed by a disagreement over creating a draft system for players overseas, but a compromise was struck that will be finalized within the upcoming months.
How did the MLB lockout get started some may ask? MLB commissioner Rob Manfred implemented the lockout as a means of creating leverage during negotiations with the players’ union. The move completely froze the offseason, meaning any unsigned players were forbidden from signing major-league contracts with teams. This caused major issues and problems throughout the MLB as players were not allowed to sign with opposing teams. And players were also not allowed to use team facilities during the lockout reducing any offseason practice they may have endured. During the 99 days of the lockout, neither the MLB nor the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) proposed a single offer for 43 days straight. This streak of no offers put a big spike in the negotiation process.
Now that the MLB can officially say they are past the lockdown, the first MLB games are underway and began last Thursday, April 7th. Opening day consisted of seven divisional matchups and two games that were postponed to a later date. Also, with the season being pushed back to a later date, there will be 162 games played with some of the missed games being played in double headers, off days, or other available dates later on in the season. Even with the one week late start to the season, all of the games will be played throughout the year pushing back the playoffs by one week in October.
The MLB lockout was a revolutionary event that has changed sports in a positive way. With the players association fighting for its players, it shows its dedication to making a change in a positive manner. As the Major League Baseball get’s going in these upcoming weeks, it will show the effects of how well players were able to practice and prepare themselves on short notice for the quick arrival of the 2022 season full of chaos.
