With Spring Training now fully underway, the 2011 Major League Baseball Season has officially begun. While we won't know much about the upcoming season until after Spring Training ends, there are five things that baseball fans can expect to hear about this year.
1. Derek Jeter's 3,000 hit.
This off season was flooded with story after story about Jeter's contract. Will he leave the Yankees? Will he stay? In the end, the appeal of the most famous franchise in history (and their money) won out. In return, the Yankees should get to see Jeter become the 28th player in baseball history to join the historic club. Only 74 hits short, the only thing that can keep him from that mark is an early injury.
2. Mariano Rivera shooting for history.
Not to be overshadowed by Jeter, Rivera has his own historic chase going. Rivera sits second on the all-time saves list. With a good season, Rivera can not only become the second pitcher in history with 600 saves, but can become the all-time saves leader by throwing 42, putting him one ahead of Trevor Hoffman. If he can pull off a season like 2009 (44 saves, 1.76 ERA), he will officially be the best relief pitcher of all time.
3. The Angels' 50th Anniversary
They've been the Los Angeles Angels, the California Angels, the Anaheim Angels, and now the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They have been the team of Reggie Jackson, Nolan Ryan, Rod Carew and Frank Robinson. This season will mark the club's 50th year in the league. Throughout this season, Angel Stadium of Anaheim is sure to be home of great memories and consistent reminiscing.
4. The Marlins last season in Sun Life Stadium
Say what you will about the Marlins, but there are several franchises that would take their two World Series trophies. The Marlins will start over new next season in the brand new Marlins Stadium with a new moniker, the Miami Marlins.
5. Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and the continuing steroid scandal
It seems like we will never get past this issue. No matter what happens this season, this is sure to over shadow it. Barry Bonds reported to court March 1st to face five charges of perjury. Roger Clemens will have his trial in July. With two of the greatest players of the steroid era being forced to face the music, expect to hear more about Bonds and Clemens than anything that actually happens on the field.
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