Key Dates to Look Forward to in 2017

Opening Day 2017 happens on Sunday, April 2^nd when the New York Yankees take on the Tampa Bay Rays inside Tropicana Field in Tampa St. Pete. The 2017 season has a lot of key dates and games this season so I wanted to go over a few and hit the high spots as we prepare for the 2017 regular season to begin. This post is worth keeping bookmarked just in case.

On the same day the Yankees and Rays kick off the 2017 season the Chicago Cubs begin their World Series title defense against the St. Louis Cardinals. Manning center field for those Cardinals? None other than the center fielder who was on the field when the Cubs won their World Series and reversed the curse of the billy goat, Dexter Fowler. That should be fun.

Sunday, May 14^th is Derek Jeter Day in the Bronx as the New York Yankees play host to the Houston Astros inside Yankee Stadium. Before the game the Yankees will unveil a plaque in Monument Park for Jeter while also retiring his #2 jersey on Mother’s Day. That’s a game you definitely do not want to miss.

The All-Star Game is played on Tuesday, July 11 inside Marlins Park in Miami. This will be the first time that the Marlins host the All-Star Game in their 25 season existence so that should be fun as should the Home Run Derby that happens the night before. Giancarlo Stanton sighting anyone?

On Sunday, July 30 we will watch as Hall of Fame inductees Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines and Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez get inducted officially into the Hall along with former Commissioner Bud Selig and former Royals and Braves executive John Schuerholz.

The non-waiver trading deadline returns to July 31^st this season after last year the deadline occurred on August 1^st. The revocable trade waiver deadline is still August 31^st, as always.

The final game of the season happens, barring any need for tiebreaker games and such, on October 1^st.

George Steinbrenner is Finalist for Hall of Fame

An ultimate wrong may finally be written this December as George M. Steinbrenner has become a finalist for Hall of Fame consideration on this year’s Eras Committee ballot. The purpose of this committee, which used to be called the Veterans Committee, is to give a second chance to players and sometimes a first chance to owners, managers, umpires etc. at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. The 10-name ballot will be reviewed and voted upon on December 5^th.

The 10-name ballot includes Harold Baines, Albert Belle, Will Clark, Orel Hershiser, Davey Johnson, Mark McGwire, Lou Piniella, John Schuerholz, Bud Selig and Mr. Steinbrenner himself. Obviously Baines, Belle, Clark and McGwire are included due to their playing careers, Piniella and Johnson because of their managing careers and Schuerholz, Selig and Steinbrenner for their time as owners and the Commissioner of Major League Baseball.

Any candidate who receives 75% or more of the vote (16 members vote in the Today’s Game Era Committee) will immediately join the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Everyone but Mr. Steinbrenner is currently living at the time of this writing. Good luck to all but especially good luck to The Boss!