Why 162 Games In A Baseball Season?

A lot of people have asked me why there are 162 games in a baseball season. The answer is simple: because that’s the way it’s always been.

The History of the 162 Game Season

The baseball season has always been a long one, but it wasn’t until the late 19th century that it reached the length it is today. The schedule varied wildly in the early days of the sport, with teams playing as few as 45 games in a season.

It wasn’t until 1879 that the first attempt was made to standardize the length of a season, when the National League mandated that each team play at least 60 games. This number gradually increased over the next few years, reaching 84 games by 1887.

The American Association (which would later become the American League) joined the National League in 1892, and both leagues agreed to play a 144 game schedule. This remained unchanged for four years, until the two leagues merged in 1900 and adopted a 154 game schedule.

Finally, in 1903, after years of trial and error, baseball settled on its current 162 game season. There have been periodic calls to shorten the season since then, but 162 games has proven to be just about perfect for America’s favorite pastime.

The Pros of a 162 Game Season

Having a 162 game season creates more work for the players, but also creates more of a sense of stability for the fans. Fans can grow attached to their team and feel like they have a real chance to see their team win it all, something that wouldn’t be possible with a shorter season. 162 games also allows players to get into a groove and maintain their batting average or ERA throughout the long season.

More Revenue

Revenue is up in baseball, with the average team now worth $1.54 billion, according to Forbes. That’s due in part to baseball’s ability to draw fans throughout the summer and generate revenue from radio and television contracts, as well as advertising, concessions, and merchandise sales. By contrast, the NFL saw its average team value dip in 2017 to $2.52 billion.

A longer season also means more opportunities for teams to market their players and generate revenue from ticket sales, concessions, and merchandise. The Yankees are baseball’s most valuable franchise, worth $4 billion, according to Forbes. Much of that value comes from the Yankees’ ability to generate revenue from massive crowds at Yankee Stadium, as well as television and radio contracts and other sources.

More Games = More Stats

The 162 game season is important because it gives every team an even playing field. In a shorter season, teams that get off to a hot start have a distinct advantage over those who don’t. A longer season also gives players more opportunities to put up big numbers and build their statistical legacy.

A 162 game season also allows for a better evaluation of players. In a shorter season, there is more variance in performance and it can be hard to tell which players are truly the best. A longer season provides a larger sample size that gives a more accurate representation of a player’s true ability.

Finally, the 162 game season is important because it increases revenues for the league and its teams. More games means more ticket sales, more TV ratings, and more merchandise sales. A longer season also allows teams to sell advertising space at a higher rate. In short, the162 game season is important for many reasons, both on and off the field.

More Flexibility with the Schedule

One big advantage to having 162 games in a season is that it provides much more flexibility with the schedule. For example, if a team is playing poorly early in the season, they can turn things around and make the playoffs. Additionally, teams can schedule creative promotions and events during the long season to keep fans engaged.

having 162 games also allows formake-up games if bad weather cancels a game. This is important because it ensures that every team has the same opportunity to make the playoffs. If there were fewer games in a season, cancelling even just a few games could have a significant impact on which teams make the playoffs.

Finally,162 games gives players more opportunities to improve their skills and win individual awards. For example, players who start the season slow can make up for it later in the season, and players who get injured can still come back and contribute to their team’s success.

The Cons of a 162 Game Season

The 162 game season is often lauded as the perfect amount of games. It’s just enough games to make it fair, but not too many that it becomes a grind. However, there are some drawbacks to having a season that long. Firstly, player injuries become more common and more severe the longer the season goes on. Secondly, it becomes harder for fans to keep up with their team if they’re playing that many games. Let’s take a look at some of the other cons of a 162 game season.

More Injuries

One of the cons of a 162 game season is that there are more injuries. Players are playing every day for six months straight, which takes a toll on their bodies. Many players end up getting injured and needing time off to recover. This can cause problems for teams who are trying to stay competitive.

Another con is that the level of play can drop during the long season. Players can become tired and burnt out, which can lead to them making mistakes on the field. The hot summer weather can also affect how players perform, as it can be very difficult to play in extremely high temperatures.

More Fatigue

The 162-game season takes a toll on the bodies of players, especially those that play every day. Injuries become more likely as players’ muscles get overworked, and the overall quality of play suffers as well. In 2012, for example, then-Oakland A’s designated hitter Brandon Moss missed several games due to a strained quadriceps.

Less Intrigue Late in the Season

One of the cons of a 162 game baseball season is that there is less intrigue late in the season. With so many games, by the time September rolls around, many teams have already clinched a playoff spot or have been eliminated from contention. This can make the last few weeks of the season rather dull for some fans.