Dugout Diary by Joe Boesch

Dear Fans: April 15th is one of the most important days in the baseball calendar, Jackie Robinson Day. It is the day on which we honor a proud moment not only in baseball history, but in American history. More importantly, it is the day on which we honor the Great American who made that history, Jackie Robinson. My observance of Jackie Robinson Day has been particularly meaningful this year.  On Monday  and  Tuesday  night, my wife and I spent four fantastic hours watching the biography of Jackie Robinson by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon. The documentary presents a flattering and nuanced picture of a truly brave individual.  Mr. Burns' documentary contains many great lessons for all of us, and I was so moved by the film that I feel compelled to share with you just a couple of observations. First, while Jackie was a true hero, it is hard to watch this film without realizing that Rachel Robinson is an American treasure, a woman of substance and class who was a partner in e...

Play Ball! A letter from Commissioner Manfred View as web page    |   April 3, 2016 Dear Fans: After a busy off-season and spring training that included games in Australia, Panama, Mexico and Cuba, I am very excited that today at 1:05 p.m. (ET) Major League Baseball's 2016 regular season begins at beautiful PNC Park in Pittsburgh. During the first two days of the 2016 season, there will be seven national broadcast games on ESPN featuring all 10 Clubs that participated in the 2015 Postseason.  On Sunday Night  Baseball, the Kansas City Royals will begin the defense of their 2015 World Series Championship against the National League Champion New York Mets. As we begin our 2016 regular season, millions of fans around the world can realistically hope that their team will be playing October baseball and contending for a World Championship. Our game is characterized by great competitive balance. The last five seasons have produced more playoff teams - 2...

"Swing batter swing," the young boy yelled. "I love to say that at a baseball game." The young boy continued to enjoy the game that we know as America's Favorite Pastime. Enriched in the mind of a young boy, is his favorite player making a diving catch or taking a full swing for a homerun. It starts at a young age, and continues throughout live. This is baseball and one of the reasons why I love the game. My love for the game began when I was young and had the dream of being a Major League baseball player. I loved the nostalgia of the game and what it stands for. Forever in my mind is the bedroom I created when I lived at my parent's home — I had pictures, stories, autographed baseballs, bats and hats decorated around. I lived the game, dreamed the game, and treasured the game. "Watching Ferris Bueller?" I asked the little boy, in the scene when they all cut school for the day and attended a Chicago Cub's game. He began to laugh. Of all places,...