Top 20 Things About MLB That Every Fan Should Know

By Pete Schwichtenberg

20 Things About MLB That Every Fan Should Know

New York Yankees Derek Jeter
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Baseball is America's pastime for a reason, yet there are things that many still don't understand about the game. Here is a look at 20 facts that every MLB fan should know.

20. Instant Replay Sucks

MLB Umpires
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20. Instant Replay Sucks

MLB Umpires
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When baseball added instant replay it was meant to quicken games and get calls right. All too often however, it hasn't done either. Bad camera angles and indisputable evidence has helped to lengthen reviews and make the game longer. Too many games have already been decided by a bad replay review.

19. Pitching Wins In October

Madison Bumgarner San Francisco Giants
Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

19. Pitching Wins In October

Madison Bumgarner San Francisco Giants
Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco Giants have gotten tiitles over the past decade by pitching. When the calender turns to October, bats grow silent and the best pitching often wins.

17. Every Pitch Has a Purpose

Johnny Cueto Cincinnati Reds
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17. Every Pitch Has a Purpose

Johnny Cueto Cincinnati Reds
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There are times that fans boo a pitch that is out of the zone or thrown in the dirt, but every single pitch has a purpose. Generally when players are hit or backed off the plate there is a good reason for it.

16. Catching Rule is Here to Stay

A.J. Pierzynski Texas Rangers
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16. Catching Rule is Here to Stay

A.J. Pierzynski Texas Rangers
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With the new rule established, catchers can no longer block the plate to make a tag. Because of this rule many bang-bang plays have gone to the base runner. While the new rule has made it nearly impossible to nab runners, with safety issues throughout the league, the rule is here to stay.

15. Prospects Don't Become Stars Overnight

Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

15. Prospects Don't Become Stars Overnight

Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Many fans expect prospects to become superstars from day one, but often players take years to develop. Mike Trout is one of the game's biggest rarities as a player who has been great from the start.

14. Slumps Happen to Everyone

Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

14. Slumps Happen to Everyone

Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Baseball is not a game where a star comes through with a big hit every night. Everyone in the game goes through stretches where every pitch seems impossible to drive. Slumps from everyone can be expected.

13. Umpires Are Incredilby Good

Ryne Sandberg Philadelphia Phillies
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13. Umpires Are Incredilby Good

Ryne Sandberg Philadelphia Phillies
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Fans boo umpires like crazy, but in reality they are incredible. They see plays in real time and more often than not are right on. When an ump is behind home plate, their amazing talents are seen even more.

12. Wear Your Hat Correctly

Ken Griffey Jr. Seattle Mariners
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12. Wear Your Hat Correctly

Ken Griffey Jr. Seattle Mariners
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Ken Griffey Jr. made wearing hats backwards cool and he is the only one that should be seen that way. Players and fans alike should do the right thing and wear their hats like a ball player.

11. Pay Attention to Strike Zones

Greg Maddux Atlanta Braves
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

11. Pay Attention to Strike Zones

Greg Maddux Atlanta Braves
Steven Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Greg Maddux was a master at taking what the umpire gave him and using it to his advantage. Every umpire has a different strike zone. When watching a game notice the differences and adjust your moaning accordingly.

10. Rookies Must Earn Respect

Wil Myers Tampa Bay Rays
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

10. Rookies Must Earn Respect

Wil Myers Tampa Bay Rays
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Late in a game a seasoned veteran like Albert Pujols may have a call go his way, while a young player like Wil Myers may not. While the MLB differs from the NBA in superstar treatment, respect is earned from umpires and players.

9. Don't Do the Wave, Ever

Fan Wave
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9. Don't Do the Wave, Ever

Fans Wave
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During games there is always a group of fans that decides to start the wave. This is simply unnecessary. Don't do it, there is a game going on.

8. Rebuilding Takes Time

Byron Buxton Minnesota Twins
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8. Rebuilding Takes Time

Byron Buxton Minnesota Twins
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In other professional sports a top draft pick can change a franchise immediately. While these top draft picks in baseball help teams, it takes time. Fans need to be patient with their organizations top prospects to see their talents grow.

7. Baseball Players Are Athletes

Bartolo Colon New York Mets
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7. Baseball Players Are Athletes

Bartolo Colon New York Mets
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Every baseball player in the MLB is an elite athlete. They play 162 games in six months in the heat of the summer and need to be in top condition to perform each and every night.

6. Players Don't Suck

Rickie Weeks Milwaukee Brewers
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6. Players Don't Suck

Rickie Weeks Milwaukee Brewers
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Whenever a player makes an error or does something wrong fans say that a player sucks. This is simply untrue. With just 25 players on each roster, MLB players are never bad, they are all among the best at their craft.

5. Stats Matter

Giancarlo Stanton Miami Marlins
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

giancarlo stanton miami marlins

5. Stats Matter

Giancarlo Stanton Miami Marlins
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Baseball is a game of numbers and stats do matter. When the season ends, it is often the one that produced the most that wins awards and earns raises. Teams that have league leaders often end up on top at the end.

4. Stats Don't Matter

Derek Jeter New York Yankees
Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

4. Stats Don't Matter

Derek Jeter New York Yankees
Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

While baseball is a game of numbers, there are times where stats mean nothing. With the game on the line in a late season situation, intangibles are much more important than simple numbers. While he is having a down season now, there is no one I would want more than Derek Jeter in an October at-bat.

3. Managers Mean A Lot

Joe Torre New York Yankees
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3. Managers Mean A Lot

Joe Torre New York Yankees
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While the game is won or lost by players, the manager means a lot. Managers do not just manage the game, but they game plan, meet with the media, meet with players and work to get the team playing at its highest level. It looks like an easy job from the stands, but its much different from the dugout. Every move is scrutinized and only the strongest survive in the long run.

2. Every Game Matters

Opening Day
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2. Every Game Matters

Opening Day
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One of the worst thing that can be said is 'this loss means nothing.' Often the difference between staying home for the playoffs and contending is a handful of games. From opening day to game 162, every game is important.

1. The Game is Not Boring

Andrew McCutchen Pittsburgh Pirates
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1. The Game is Not Boring

Andrew McCutchen Pittsburgh Pirates
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Baseball is the most exciting game of all sports. With no clock and things going on all around the field, anything can happen at anytime. Every season there are countless happenings that have never been done before. From a game in the middle of the summer to an October battle, baseball is the best and most exciting game of all sports.

Pete Schwichtenberg is an MLB writer for Rantsports. Follow @schwick26_pete, Like him on Facebook, or add him to your Google Network.

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