Late yesterday, the 2015 MLB schedule was released. I find it interesting that the MLB is the only one of the Big 4 professional sports leagues that releases next year’s schedule while the current season is still underway.
In addition to my passion for sports, I also have an interest in scheduling and logistics. So, I suppose, that adds a little extra sizzle for me to the news that the new schedule is out. I find it fascinating to see who plays where when.
“Oh, so the Braves are on the west coast in May. They go from L.A. to San Fran. In July, they go to Colorado but they group that trip with one to Milwaukee. Wonder why they did that?”
Anyway, that’s how my mind works. I could have been a transportation and logistics major in a different life!
As you know, one major thread of this blog is baseball and I’ve told you on various occasions about my goals to see every team; to visit every ballpark. In fact, I wrote on this topic just a few weeks ago.
To date, I have seen every Major League Baseball team in person save one. I have never seen the elusive Chicago White Sox. Given the fact that I never manage to see them, maybe I should refer to them as the Black Sox!
At first, this omission to my spreadsheet was a curiosity. Now it is rapidly becoming an obsession.
During my two trips to Chicago, I saw the Cubs play. It never seemed prudent to schedule one of those trips around the schedule of the Chisox. In retrospect, that might have been a mistake.
So, it is. I have seen 29 different MLB teams play. The White Sox are #30. Nothing personal. I could’ve easily chosen to see them play earlier in Baltimore or Cleveland. It just didn’t happen. And then there is inter league play.
But for some reason, when interleague schedules are released, the White Sox never come to Atlanta. Last year – as in previous years – the inter league schedule took the Bravos to the Windy City. I think Atlanta has hosted the White Sox once in interleague play. It’s a scheduling anomaly.
But, as I noted, the interleague rotation for next year, I saw that teams from A.L. Central would be playing their counterparts in the N.L. Central and you know what that means? Cincy is nearly as close to Farragut as is Atlanta.
So, after I scanned the Braves’ schedule for possible road trip opportunities (late May, around my birthday, with Milwaukee in town looks intriguing), I turned my attention to the Reds’ sched. And wouldn’t you know it. There they are. May 8-9-10. A weekend series.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago White Sox…in Chicago!
Arrrrrrrrgh!!!
Couldn’t flip-flop the Reds and White Sox and make them play at the Great American Ballpark? Couldn’t switch those games with, say, the Reds’ interleague series with Detroit…or Minnesota? Nope. And nope.
So, once again, the 2015 season will pass without that elusive 30th MLB team coming to our region.
I think one of these days I’m just going to have to break down and go back to Chicago and just meet the White Sox on their own turf!
JG
Originally posted 9/9/2014
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