I’d like to thank Rogers, Brookfield and the Globe and Mail for stressing me out on Friday

Andrew Willis dropped one hell of an article this past Friday.

Apparently, Rogers and Brookfield want to tear down Skydome, build a new ballpark as well as a bunch of condos, offices and public spaces and have it all privately funded. If they can’t get government approval – because Rogers owns the ballpark, but not the land it sits on – there’s an alternative waterfront site.

A new stadium is unnecessary and I’d prefer it if Rogers focused on renovating Skydome. However, I wouldn’t say no to a new stadium either.

What’s stressing me out is the thought of the Jays having to relocate while everything is being constructed.

The fucking pandemic has punished us enough. I can handle the Jays playing in Buffalo for a year or two until it’s safe to cross the border. But to play outside Toronto for additional years and for a non-COVID reason would be torturous. If Rogers and Brookfield go through with this, I’m praying they build on the waterfront site. That way, the Jays stay in Toronto and we prepare for the big move.

Speaking of praying: This new ballpark – whatever it looks like – MUST have a retractable roof.

Skydome is not perfect, but I love the fact that I never have to worry about inclement weather. Watching baseball outdoors in the spring and fall can be a miserable experience. Ask anyone who watched games at Exhibition Stadium. I don’t care about cosmetics. Just make sure it has a roof that opens and closes.

Here’s what I’m dreading the most: The new stadium is built to the joy of all the Skydome bashers. They walk through the turnstiles, check out the place, find a million things they hate about it and then we’re back to where we started.

Some fans wanted a dome because they didn’t want to be cold and wet at Exhibition Stadium. Decades later, another generation of fans wants a traditional ballpark because domed facilities stopped being cool after Oriole Park at Camden Yards was built. What’s going to happen when they get that?

Of course, Rogers squashed everything by stating all plans are on hold because of the pandemic. Nevertheless, there are plans and the entire fanbase is now thinking about them.

I’ve never given any serious thought to the Jays playing in a different downtown venue. Now, I have to and it’s jarring.

There’s a lot to process.

ER

Mazel Tov, Dodgers!

Finally…

Clayton Kershaw is a World Series champion. So is Max Muncy. So is Cody Bellinger. So is Kenley Jansen. So is Justin Turner; warts and all.

Mookie Betts switched from red to blue and captured another ring. Dave Roberts can rest easy; at least for a few days.

Granted, there will always be a “yeah, but…” with this title because of the season’s unique structure. However, one could take solace knowing the Dodgers had reached this pinnacle twice before under regular circumstances. And this time, they didn’t lose.

For several seasons, the Dodgers earned an unsavoury reputation: A great team that could never enjoy the spoils of victory. Great regular-season record, but it would all fall apart in October.

Not this year.

The Rays had a tremendous run, but couldn’t build from their incredible victory in game four.

Kevin Cash’s decision to remove Blake Snell in the sixth inning of game six ultimately proved to be a costly tactical error.

I would have kept Snell in the match as long as possible. However, one could certainly appreciate Cash’s reasoning.

That pivotal moment reignited a debate about the merits of analytics in baseball. Many expressed their disdain for the strategy and given that the Dodgers tied and took the lead, it was hard to counter any arguments.

Truthfully, analytics has a place in baseball; as does traditional statistics and what we witness with the naked eye. There must be a balance amongst the three methods and each one should be used in moderation.

One could suggest Cash relied too heavily on analytics that night. Then again, it’s too easy to call upon hindsight after the fact.

And kudos to MLB for getting through this unique season from start to finish. Unfortunately, a few teams experienced outbreaks, while the consequences of Turner’s actions are currently unknown. I had my doubts at the start, but relieved our worst fears didn’t come to fruition.

Nevertheless, the league embarrassed itself in 2020. During a worldwide health crisis and civil unrest, the owners picked a petty fight with the players over – surprise, surprise – money.

I love baseball; so, MLB doesn’t need to worry about me. They need to worry about the fans who choose to consume football and basketball content over baseball. Those fans want and have a reason to focus on the NFL and NBA. It has superstars and a certain sex appeal.

MLB doesn’t have that. MLB needs to have that. After damaging their reputation in the spring, they have a lot of work to do.

ER