America's pastime returns to the ballpark during pandemic
Major League Baseball's 30 teams will play a shortened 60-game season jammed into two months.
The Minnesota Twins are looking to repeat as American League Central Division champs when they kick off their 60th season Friday night against their division rivals, the Chicago White Sox.
“I think they're going to outscore many teams that they play,” said MLB.com Twins beat writer Do-Hyoung Park. “They had a historic offense in 2019 … and then during the offseason, they went out and acquired Josh Donaldson, and signed him to a $92-million contract.”
Games will be played in empty stadiums for the time being due to the global pandemic.
“It’s different to be sure,” Park said. “Not to see fans in the stands anywhere, especially behind home plate, where you normally have this panoramic view of people watching the game, on their telephones, having conversations, you know, with the idle banter in the background of everyday life. That's not there.”
“It's going to be different. But I also think it's going to be an easier adjustment to make than many people expect.”
Listen to more of All Things Considered host Tom Crann’s discussion with Do-Hyoung Park using the audio player above.
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