Play ball! (2021)

MLB has big plans for Opening Day tomorrow: every team playing at locations around the country on April 1. No April Fool's joke. That's the schedule.

 

It's supposed to snow where I live. Three inches, some places more.

 

The forecasts aren't so great for several game locations tomorrow. The temperature in Detroit is expected to peak at 33 degrees. In Chicago, 37 degrees. In Cincinnati, 39 degrees. It could rain in New York, Philadelphia and Boston.

 

I'm expecting some rough openings. But, no big deal. After last year? We're going to get baseball somewhere as scheduled!

I'm pretty darn excited. Even if it snows here. Even if I have to work. It's nice to know that a 162-game schedule is planned. I am as ready as I've ever been, and, yes, the Dodgers winning the World Series last year has a lot to do with that.

For the first time in the 12 years of this annual post, I don't have to use a 1988 card for the Dodgers!

OK, so I have to use a 2020 card for them ... shut up.

It's mere hours from Opening Day and the Dodgers are defending champions. Nobody can ruin this. (Not even that strike on the horizon).

Let's go:

The last time the DODGERS won the World Series, cards looked like this:

 

The last time the NATIONALS won the World Series, cards looked like this:

 

The last time the RED SOX won the World Series, cards looked like this:

 

The last time the ASTROS won the World Series, cards looked like this:

 

The last time the CUBS won the World Series, cards looked like this:

 

The last time the ROYALS won the World Series, cards looked like this:

 

The last time the GIANTS won the World Series, cards looked like this:

 

The last time the CARDINALS won the World Series, cards looked like this:

 

The last time the YANKEES won the World Series, cards looked like this:

 

The last time the PHILLIES won the World Series, cards looked like this:

 

The last time the WHITE SOX won the World Series, cards looked like this:

 

The last time the MARLINS won the World Series, cards looked like this:

 

The last time the ANGELS won the World Series, cards looked like this:

 

 

 

The last time the DIAMONDBACKS won the World Series, cards looked like this:

 

 

The last time the BRAVES won the World Series, cards looked like this:

The last time the BLUE JAYS won the World Series, cards looked like this:

 

The last time the TWINS won the World Series, cards looked like this:

The last time the REDS won the World Series, cards looked like this:

The last time the A'S won the World Series, cards looked like this:

The last time the METS won the World Series, cards looked like this:

 

The last time the TIGERS won the World Series, cards looked like this:

The last time the ORIOLES won the World Series, cards looked like this:

The last time the PIRATES won the World Series, cards looked like this:

The last time the INDIANS won the World Series, cards looked like this:

 

The last time the BREWERS, MARINERS, PADRES, RANGERS, RAYS, ROCKIES won the World Series, cards looked like this:

Ooof, it's not likely that any of those teams that last won in the '80s follows the Dodgers lead, huh?

Well, you never know.

I hope you all are able to carve out some baseball-watching time over the next few days. I also hope that the baseball season approaches normalcy as it moves along. 

But mostly I'm hoping for a Dodgers repeat.

Even if I have to post that stupid 2021 Topps design next year.