Spring Has Sprung! MLB Spring Training Games Start Thursday

Warm weather and great sports return to the northern hemisphere.

In 2023, the Reds’ Elly De La Cruz became the first Reds player since 1919 to steal second, third and home in the same inning The Reds are one of the most exciting teams in baseball. (Photo: clutchpoints.com)

Major League Baseball 2024 Spring Training games will officially begin on Thursday, February 22, 2024. Whether the daffodils are in bloom or Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, in the northern hemisphere, we know that spring has sprung when the boys of summer take the field.

The LA Dodgers and San Diego Padres face off in a Cactus League showdown on Thursday. Ironically, the same two teams kick off the MLB regular season a month later in South Korea. All 30 Major League teams will play in Cactus (Arizona) and Grapefruit (Florida) League games on Saturday, February 24.

What About the Cincinnati Reds?

The Reds enter spring training with a young core that unexpectantly reached the playoffs last fall. The Reds are considered contenders in the NL Central for the first time in a long time. That’s great news.

Now, the tradeoffs.

The good news is an injury at any position can now be replaced by a starter from last season. The bad news is that most of the Reds are unproven beyond their first or second years in the big leagues.

We all wish Joey Votto were back (bad news), but the lack of a proven designated hitter allows manager David Bell to play with many different line-ups (good news).

The good news on the pitching is that several key starters are back from injury. The bad news is that several key starters are back from injury, and the Reds did nothing in the category of adding marque pitchers in the offseason.

The Reds will be an exciting team to watch again this season. Their youth and aggressiveness make for a great style of baseball.

I Love NHL Hockey, Too

Yes, I love my Carolina Hurricanes. However, they have become a very bland team to watch.

The Hurricanes lack some elite offensive talent. The goaltending is thin and unpredictable. But the Hurricanes will make the playoffs and are a strong possession team under Rod Brindamour. Hopefully, we’ll see some trades for a couple of impact players over the last 30 games.

You may think hockey is a winter sport, and that’s mostly true. But NHL playoff hockey is a notoriously spring and summer sport.

Heading to the Ballfields and Beaches

Spring has sprung.

JD Solomon is the author of Communicating Reliability, Risk & Resiliency to Decision Makers: How to Get Your Boss’s Boss to Understand and Facilitating with FINESSE: A Guide to Successful Business Solutions.