Players have discussed shortening season to 154 games with MLB
Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed Thursday that the players' union has broached the topic of shortening the season to 154-games with MLB.
By
Mike Axisa
•
1 min read
The current collective bargaining agreement between the owners and the players is not set to expire until after the 2016 season, though the two sides are constantly discussing issues and bringing up ideas. The sooner they do it, the less likely it is there will be a work stoppage.
On Wednesday, commissioner Rob Manfred spoke with reporters in Houston, and mentioned that MLBPA has broached the idea of shortening the season to 154 games. Here's what Manfred told Richard Justice of MLB.com:
"Players have asked about 154," Manfred said. "I think 154 is a topic that is complicated. It has big competitive and economic ramifications. Having said that, I think in the 20-something years I've worked in the game, there's more conversation about it than there has been in a long time."
The MLB schedule currently calls for 162 games in 183 days, so only 21 off-days in six months, with many of them tied up in travel. It's a real grind and it's understandable why the players would like to squeeze in eight extra off-days if possible. Here's more from Manfred, from the Associated Press:
"One hundred and sixty-two games in 183 days, and a lot of those 21 days consumed by travel, is a pretty demanding schedule," he said. "By reputation I work pretty hard, and I don't think I work 162 days out of 183. It's a tough schedule."
Obviously there are significant economic ramifications with going from a 162-game schedule to a 154-game schedule. Eight fewer games means four fewer home dates per teams, which means thousands if not millions in lost revenue for owners. That's why they'll strongly oppose a 154-game schedule when the time comes to hammer out a new CBA.
As a baseball fan, I am against anything that would mean less baseball, so thumbs down to the 154-game schedule idea from this guy. But I get it. The players want some extra rest in an effort to stay healthy and productive, which could lead to more exciting baseball, especially later in the season.
The AL transitioned from a 154-game schedule to a 162-game schedule in 1961. The NL made the switch the following year.
