Let’s take a trip back to last week. On Wednesday, the Mets faced the Blue Jays for the series’ final game. The Mets needed a win to keep pace in the NL Wild Card race. However, it seemed like the magic run was ending for the first eight innings. Jays pitcher Bowden Francis had a no-hitter going and the Mets’ offense seemed to be lifeless. However, all that changed when on an 0-2 pitch, Francisco Lindor blasted a solo home run, tying the game and sending a jolt into this Mets lineup. They would end up scoring five more runs and would win the game 6-1, moving into sole possession of the final Wild Card spot. An exciting ending for a regular-season MLB game.
What gave this game more significance was that it was on the 23rd anniversary of 9/11. A day that holds significance to a lot of people, none more than the people of New York. So, with such an emotional win on an emotional day, the crowd reaction could’ve torn down Citi Field if the game was being played in New York. That’s right, on the most solemn day in New York, the Mets weren’t just not in New York, but they weren’t even in the country.
This is a bad job by the MLB and their schedule maker. For everything baseball did to help heal New York after 9/11, you would think the MLB would try to continue this by having both New York teams play in their home ballpark. However, this got me thinking about why the MLB doesn’t have this as a lock date on the calendar and other days that should be locked home games for teams. Here’s why MLB should have set home games and what they would look like.
What Would be a Set Home Game for the MLB
To start: what is a set home game? Well, it’s a date on the calendar, when an MLB team will always be playing a game at home every year. The date is supposed to have some significance to the area and the baseball game is supposed to be a part of the day. This can be a day of celebration and the game is part of the festivities. It could be a solemn day and the game helps bring people together to heal and remember what happened.
This would be a unique way for MLB to get more eyes on the baseball. Baseball has had a reputation for being more than just a game. Look at James Earl Jones’s speech from Field of Dreams.
James Earl Jones gifted us one of the greatest baseball speeches of all time in Field of Dreams.
— DNVR Rockies (@DNVR_Rockies) September 9, 2024
RIP to a legend⚾️❤️ pic.twitter.com/xhNfgzXC9v
Baseball is a part of American history. Despite everything that has changed about our country, we’ve always had baseball and will continue to have it. There’s a certain nostalgia that comes with it, as well as a comforting feeling everything will turn out for the best. If MLB does set home games, it will add to this legend. No matter if we’re celebrating or mourning, baseball will be there. This will cement baseball as having a very special place in American sports.
Examples of Set Home Games
Several dates should have a set home game outside of the Mets and Yankees being in New York on 9/11. Here are just a couple of examples of what these could be.
Third Monday in April (Patriots Day): Boston Red Sox
Patriots Day is the perfect example of what a set home game is trying to accomplish where baseball is a main part of the day. Starting in 1959, the Red Sox have played a home game every Patriots Day. Normally the game has an early start so when the Boston Marathon runner goes through Kenmore Square, the game is going on. The Red Sox are a major part of Patriots Day; you can’t talk about the festivities without bringing them up. This should be the model MLB uses when coming up with these days.
April 15th (Jackie Robinson Day): Los Angeles Dodgers
This one doesn’t have the same impact due to the fact the Dodgers no longer play in Brooklyn. However, having the Dodgers play a home game would be a great way to honor Jackie’s legacy. The Dodgers can do a pre-game ceremony to honor the impact Jackie made. Plus seeing the number 42 in Dodger Home Blue will resonate much stronger with the community.
September 15th (Roberto Clemente Day): Pittsburgh Pirates
Similar to Jackie Robinson Day, Roberto Clemente Day should be an automatic home game for the Pittsburgh Pirates. As MLB begins to celebrate Roberto Clemente more and more, allowing the Pirates to play a home game would make the day that much more special. They can have a special design in the right field to honor Clemente and have a pre-game ceremony. Plus seeing 21 in the home Pirates yellow and black would mean much more.
July 1st (Canada Day): Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays being at home for Canada Day has been one of the biggest parts of the holiday. The Blue Jays wear red jerseys and all around the ballpark, you can see signs and flags celebrating Canada. It’s a big way for Canadians to show off their pride in their country. Rooting on the only Canadian team, how could it get much better than that for the citizens of Toronto and Canada?
There are many more examples. However, if I were to list every single one this article would never end. But, if the MLB wants to carve a unique spot in sports culture, this idea of set home games is something they have to explore.
Thanks for reading! Credit for my feature image to Mark Blinch. You can find more MLB content at Belly Up Sports and follow me on Twitter/X.
