Major League Baseball: A Mid-Season Review
The 2022 Major League Baseball (MLB) season is well underway, and as we reach the halfway point, the landscape of the league is becoming clearer. With 81 games played, the contenders have largely separated themselves from the pretenders and those in the midst of a rebuilding phase. The teams that were expected to dominate—namely the New York Yankees and Mets, Houston Astros, and Los Angeles Dodgers—are all sitting atop their respective divisions, showcasing their prowess and depth.
The New York Yankees, boasting a record of 58-23, are living up to their “Bronx Bombers” nickname. Their explosive offense is spearheaded by Aaron Judge, who has already belted 29 home runs in what is shaping up to be a pivotal contract year for him. Speculation is rife that the San Francisco Giants, Judge’s hometown team, could be a significant player in free agency should he choose not to re-sign with the Yankees. Meanwhile, the Giants themselves are struggling to replicate last year’s remarkable 107-win season. The retirement of Buster Posey has left a gaping hole in their lineup, and his successor, Joey Bart, has faced challenges that led to his demotion to the minors. Currently, the Giants sit at 40-39, trailing behind the San Diego Padres and Dodgers.
In stark contrast, the Oakland Athletics are enduring a dismal season, languishing at the bottom of the league with a 28-56 record. This performance was anticipated following a fire sale that saw the team trade away star players like Matt Olson and Matt Chapman. A’s fans are left hoping for a brighter future, which may hinge on the team securing a new stadium and ownership willing to invest in talent for the long haul.
Basketball and Hockey: Offseason Developments
As the NBA and NHL transition into their offseason, both leagues have recently crowned new champions. The Golden State Warriors captured their fourth NBA title in eight seasons, triumphing over the Boston Celtics, while the Colorado Avalanche clinched their third Stanley Cup, thwarting the Tampa Bay Lightning’s hopes for a three-peat.
The NHL free agency period is just beginning, coinciding with the upcoming draft. Meanwhile, the NBA has seen a flurry of activity in recent weeks. The Warriors successfully re-signed starting center Kevon Looney, but they lost several key players to free agency, including Damien Lee to the Phoenix Suns, Gary Payton II to Portland, and Otto Porter Jr. to Toronto. The Warriors have brought in Donte DiVincenzo and are expected to extend an offer to rising star Jordan Poole, while also considering additional signings or promoting young talent from within their ranks.
The State of College Sports
In the realm of college athletics, financial considerations continue to dominate the landscape. Despite the presence of numerous athletic teams, marketing and financial resources have predominantly favored men’s sports, particularly football and men’s basketball. The recent 50th anniversary of Title IX serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equity in sports, highlighting the significant work that remains to achieve parity between men’s and women’s athletics.
Two pressing issues currently facing college sports are the influence of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals on recruiting and the ongoing wave of conference realignment. With student-athletes now able to profit from their participation in sports, the recruitment landscape has shifted dramatically. Schools like USC, which boasts a rich football history and a vibrant fanbase, are leveraging their market position to attract top recruits through lucrative sponsorship deals. For example, Caleb Williams, the top quarterback in the 2022 transfer portal, secured multiple NIL deals after transferring to USC to follow his head coach, Lincoln Riley, from Oklahoma.
Conference Craziness: The Changing Landscape
USC’s recent announcement to leave the PAC-12 for the Big Ten in 2024 has sent shockwaves through the college sports community. This move, alongside Oklahoma and Texas’s decision to join the SEC in 2025, underscores the shifting power dynamics within college sports conferences. The Big Ten and SEC are increasingly viewed as the premier conferences, generating the most revenue and securing the most lucrative television deals.
By adding USC and UCLA, the Big Ten stands to gain significantly from the lucrative Los Angeles market. However, the implications for student-athletes are worth considering; traveling across the country to face teams like Maryland or playing in frigid conditions in Wisconsin during late fall could present challenges. For fans, especially those who have long supported teams like Cal, the potential collapse of the PAC-12 could spell the end of cherished rivalries and traditions. Fortunately, the Big Ten has expressed no interest in further expansion at this time, leaving some hope for the PAC-12’s survival and the preservation of its storied rivalries.
As the sports world continues to evolve, fans can look forward to more developments in men’s and women’s soccer, as well as the ongoing narratives in baseball, basketball, and college athletics.