Thanksgiving is great if you like football, lethargy, and eating seven different kinds of stuffing in less than twenty minutes. However, a conversation over a family dinner can lead to a very tense dessert. Following elections that radically divided the country, it is safe to say that political discussions will inevitably be on the menu during these holidays. But I’ll let you in on a little secret: it’s not obligatory!
We’ve put together a list of ten trending baseball topics to help keep your family both distracted and informed, because no one wants to see a candied yam casserole thrown out the window… does people still eat it?
1. THE CUBS WON A WORLD SERIES TITLE AND IT’S NOT A LOW BUDGET SCI-FI MOVIE
The whole road to the World Series title was a whirlwind, Cubs fan or not. It’s everything we’ve wanted from baseball over the last decade and now we have it make sure no one forgets. By winning over 100 regular season games, with Jake Arrieta being his own backup, coming back from a 3-1 deficit, you can keep your family happy until the next Thanksgiving. Goat accessories are optional but encouraged.
2. AJ Preller and the falsification of players’ medical documents
Ah yes, Padre Gate. It appears the Padres general manager got off with a slap on the wrist for lying to teams about the physical conditions of the players he dealt them. Has this worsened the climate for the trade deadline? What other sanctions should Preller face, if any? Just be careful with this one, because it leaves a peephole for one: “You know who else has a huge scandal? conversation.
3. Is the designated hitter spot archaic?
With the birth of the #PitchersWhoRake movement, should the American League lose the player position that differentiates it from the National League? Or does the DH spot give the game a little more spice? Better question: Did Madison Bumgarner ruin everyone’s fun?
4. David Ortiz retires
Big Papi had a great, if not a little controversial, career in baseball. Regardless of your team affiliation, the Boston legend was fun to watch…even if you didn’t realize it was fun until after the game was over and your frustration had subsided. Get your family talking about the Ortiz moments that mean the most to them and what they think about his farewell tour. Bonus if your family is full of Yankees fans and now you have a better place to direct their hatred.
5. Let’s legalize steroids in baseball because that would simply solve all problems (or would there be?)
Yes No Maybe ? There is no right answer to this, only strong opinions. With certain regulations in place, could the introduction of legal human growth hormone be the future of professional baseball? Or does this just cheapen the game?
6. Which cities should MLB look to expand into?
The NFL just played a game in Mexico, I think baseball can at least think about putting a major league team in North Carolina. And why not another team in Canada? Actually, on second thought… don’t mention Canada.
7. Should MLB teams handle closures carefully?
Such was the case with my father yelling about how Goose Gossage was made of steel and that “door closers these days are too soft” and pampered. The point is valid though. Are teams going the extra mile to protect their defenders, which only hurts pitchers in the long run? See what your family team thinks. It also provides a great springboard to hear about the most treasured baseball memories your family members might have. Continue to cherish them.
8. The Cubs won their first World Series IN 108 YEARS, EVERYONE IS GREAT
If things get really bad, don’t stop talking about the Cubs. Just keep repeating lists from the last century as necessary. Talk about Cleveland taking a 3-1 lead. List the things that move slower than Aroldis Chapman’s fastball. Make your family look Kris Bryant in the eye to lull them into complacency. That should do it.
9. Mike Trout: a big fish in a small pond
Mike Trout has deserved every MVP award he’s won, but doesn’t deserve the pain of being part of a team that consistently fails to perform. Can he still make a difference in Los Angeles or is it time to take his talents elsewhere? I apologize if your family excommunicates you because of my bad pun.
10. Should MLB eliminate more of the human element from baseball?
Umps cause a lot problems when it comes to systematically calling the right zones. They’re only human, and it’s hard to be evenly matched when they can see over 200 shots in a game. That being said, is it time to create a more accurate game with the introduction of lasers to measure whether the pitch was a ball or a strike? I see we’re back in that low budget sci-fi movie.
What planet is Andrew Miller from?
I have my money on Saturn, to be honest.
Every stadium must have a “take your dog to a game” day
I don’t know why it’s not a law yet. SO. A lot. GOOD. Dogs.
