MLB to welcome fans back to ballparks as league set for Opening Day

MLB to welcome fans back to ballparks as league set for Opening Day
01/04/2021
MLB's total attendance for the 2019 season was 68,494,752, as the league continued its trend as being the highest-attended professional sports league in the world; however, COVID-19 shut down regular-season attendance for the 2020 season.

Major League Baseball (MLB) is set to open the 2021 season on 1 April. Following an unprecedented season with no fans attending any 2020 regular-season games, MLB welcomes fans back to ballparks under local government laws and with health and safety protocols in place. MLB's total attendance for the 2019 season was 68,494,752, as the league continued its trend as being the highest-attended professional sports league in the world.

MLB highlighted through a press release the diversity of its star-pool. Athletes from more than 20 countries or territories will be on opening day rosters.

A sampling of MLB biggest stars has performed on the international stage in recent years, representing Australia, Canada, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Korea, Japan, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, USA and Venezuela.

From the front office side, Kim Ng is set to begin her first season as general manager of the Miami Marlins.  Ng was hired by the Marlins last November as the first female general manager by any professional men’s team in North American sports.

Other opening day highlights include Globe Life Field, the new US$ 1.1 billion ballpark in Arlington, being inaugurated as the new home of the Texas Rangers. It was the location of the 2020 World Series after its inauguration was postponed amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

All-Star Mookie Betts of the World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers has the most popular jersey. His number 50 tops sales ahead of jersey number 35 of his teammate Cody Bellinger and number 23 of 22-year old Dominican rising star Fernando Tatis Junior of the San Diego Padres.

Tatis has signed during the off-season the longest contract in MLB history. The shortstop inked a 14-year deal with the Padres worth US$ 340 million.

Photo courtesy of MLB.

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