Expansion

I love it right now. The season is in full swing as I have already been to six 66ers games at San Manuel Stadium with more scheduled for this week. I'm also hitting up my first Dodgers game on Sunday at Chavez Ravine. I've been so busy the last two weeks, and for the foreseeable future, that my blog posts will be more of a weekly thing rather than every few days in the past. Still, with all the baseball I've been doing, it's a good-type of busy and my fatigue is well-worth it.

While in the midst of all this, I did read a fascinating article online about a recent press conference done by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. The conversation centered around possible MLB expansion in the next few years. He stated that the most important things to figure out were the stadium issues in Tampa Bay and Oakland, but that if solutions couldn't be found, expansion or relocation would be on the table. I wanted to weigh in on this with my thoughts and hear what all of you have to say.

To begin, I think that both Oakland and Tampa Bay will get their issues resolved with their respective stadiums. It's looking more and more like the Raiders will be moving to Las Vegas, so the A's will have the Coliseum to themselves and will be able to make improvements without having to share a facility. I think Tampa Bay is too big of a market not to have baseball and the power brokers there will come up with something.

Lots of talk has centered around Montreal. I think that is the best place to expand as it will bring another team to Canada. I'm totally on-board with that, and I hope that the issues that plagued the Expos when they were there will be worked out before any team plays. From a Baseball Road Trip standpoint, wouldn't a Canada trip to Toronto and Montreal be incredibly awesome?

If you add a team in Montreal, you have to put another team in the league to balance the schedule. And, to keep geography of the league in consideration, that team would have to be out West. But, the real question is, where would an expansion team go? I've been surprised that there is talk about Portland being in the mix. Surprised because Portland had a great Triple-A gig going on, but the city did not support them in any way, shape, or form. The Beavers left Portland in 2010, frankly, with good reason. Portland may have the market size, but that doesn't mean they DESERVE a team.

My suggestion for expansion would have to be Vancouver, BC. Here's my reasoning: it is a very cosmopolitan city with lots of money and a high-standard of living. It has the population to support a team and even has a temporary facility to play in until a new stadium is built. It also would create a nice West Coast rivalry with Seattle, and travel for the other teams in the West would be rather simple as Vancouver is a large transportation hub. Finally, Vancouver has successfully supported Minor League Baseball in the past. Sure, Vancouver didn't support the NBA Grizzlies when they were there, but baseball is such a different operation than the NBA. I think it would be much different.

In 2009, I did a Baseball Road Trip to Vancouver and Victoria. I have to say that that Road Trip was one of the best I have ever done. Sure, the games were good, but what I remember most were how beautiful the cities were, especially Vancouver. I did a bike ride in Stanley Park along the water and in Downtown, and I couldn't believe how spectacular it was. I have to say that it was that trip that really got me into the whole "Biking on Road Trips" ideal. Now, the thought of a Major League team possibly going there, and that showcasing the city to the rest of the sports world is really exciting.

Dodgers Game 1 is on Sunday. It will be my first trip into LA this season, and I'm bringing my bike on the Metrolink for the ride up the hill. I'm excited to ride in Downtown on my loop up to Chavez Ravine. I'm excited to see Dodger Stadium again. Since I have adopted a more spaced-out scheduling of games, it makes me more excited to go to games that have become sort of a routine. The novelty hasn't worn off, in the least.

Be sure to watch social media for my updates throughout the weekend.

Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)