And Away We Go...

And just like that, in a blink of an eye, the start to our 2012 season has come and gone.  Earlier today, in Japan, the Oakland A's and Seattle Mariners squared off to get things going.  Now never mind you that I believe it's quite dumb to start the season on another continent, over a week before the rest of the league will start theirs.  But money controls the world and that's exactly what pushed this opening game.

But alas, the season is under way and what a different season this may be for us fans.  For starters, the balance of power continues to shift to the American League.  Two of the three biggest free agents this past winter abandoned their team and the National League for the American League; Prince Fielder heads to the Detroit Tigers and Albert Pujols goes to the Anaheim Angels.  The American League has become the attractive place to play because of its deep lineups thanks in part to the Designated Hitter.  So for us National League fans, especially come Interleague play time, there is a good chance that we may have even more become the younger brother.

The biggest change for everyone involved moving forward is the new playoff structure.  Each league will now have a second Wild Card spot, with the two Wild Card teams meeting in a one game playoff to see who advances to the final four in its respective league.  This will change the way baseball is played in September, on both sides of the equation.  Those teams who are leading their division will be forced to play throughout the final month since they will not want a Wild Card spot and have to deal with the one game pay in game.  Those teams who in the past might have figured out of the playoff race will have an additional spot to chase after, and they may be close enough to make their September games count.

The last and final way the season will change this season has actually already occurred.  The calendar reads 2012.  Not 2011.  Yes, baseball may be slow compared to other sports.  It can be tough to watch or comprehend why other people watch.  But baseball is beautiful.  Every aspect that goes into the game.  The whip of a pitch, crack of a bat, the dive in the outfield, the slide at the bat, everything is beautiful.  But also, baseball opens possibilities for teams that are thought to have no chance.  It's a great sport for teams to overachieve.  To let it all hang out.  To have fun.

The weather was warm but has since cooled, now to what we are accustomed to at this time of year, and so baseball is here.  Between now and Halloween, who knows what will happen.