Why baseball declined, is now back

Ever wonder why the MLB seemed to be on the decline the past five-or-so years? Let's start by noting the obvious reason everyone thinks - It's a pitcher's game nowadays! It's so boring! I can't watch it!

Though people think this, there were more home runs hit last year (2017) than any other year in MLB history. There were a total of 6,105 homers in the 2017 season. When one starts to look deeper into the baseball scenario, it doesn't come down to power. It doesn't come down to pitching. It comes down to stats and individuality.

There have been 11 perfect games thrown since 1991. There are 21 in total. We saw more than half the amount of total perfect games, including three in 2012. Perfect games are rare; but for our generation to witness more than half the perfect games in history is extremely greedy on our part. Baseball has given us reasons to tune-in up until just a few years ago. Players in the MLB all merged to absolute all-stars from the 90s-200s and we witnessed a lot of history. But when all of them leave simultaneously, what should baseball expect?

How many of you remember these guys: Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Ken Griffey Jr., Jim Thome, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Frank Thomas or Albert Pujols? Yes, Pujols is still playing, but how about the other 10? These are 11 players in the top 20 most career home runs in the history of baseball. Just how greedy are we? Sure, we love the power; but, we love the individual statistics more than anything. Out of the top 20 home run leaders in baseball history, we witnessed more than half of them during the past twenty years. Since they were all around at the same time, they all left at the same time and left us watching newcomers.

Baseball is America's past time. It has been around since the 1800s. With that being said - to go from seeing individual players hit the 500, 600, 700 and 756 home run marks had everyone on the edge of their seats game after game. Since the departure of Ortiz, Pujols remains the only member in baseball within the 500-700 home run club. The fans don't want newcomers, no matter how good they seem because they have not established themselves yet. Sure we love Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, and all of the other up-and-coming stars of the game. But, they have to establish themselves first in order for the fans to appreciate them. Then the argument becomes: In football, we love the rookies! That is false!

MLB first round draft picks don't see the MLB for many seasons. They stay in their organization's farm system for years on end to finally get a shot in the bigs. Rookies cannot be appreciated since they're continually in the Minor Leagues without a shot to prove themselves in the MLB for years to come.

In the NFL and NBA, rookies are highly anticipated. There is not a need for people to establish themselves since players make the roster from the draft (unless they're absolutely dreadful). For such a dominate position such as quarterback or wide receiver, fans get pure excitement to see if these people have what it takes. Just look at some of the biggest names in the NFL that were rookies just a few seasons ago - from Odell Beckham Jr.'s antics on the field, to seeing if Johnny Manziel was going to be a bust in Cleveland because of his alcoholism off the field, to wanting Baker Mayfield to fail or not, rookies are constantly making an impact.

Luckily for baseball, players are beginning to establish themselves at a rapid pace. If you're asked to name an MLB player right now, your answers probably are Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Bryce Harper, or Mike Trout. These are the new faces of the MLB that will establish themselves with individual statistics and make baseball into rivalry mode once again. Once the big names match the big teams, baseball will be back.

Remember when Pedro Martinez grabbed Don Zimmer by the back of his neck and threw him down? Or when Jason Veritek punched A-Rod in the face with his catchers mit? Or even the bench clearing brawls that would happen nearly every time the Red Sox and Yankees played? Well, I do, and it rarely happens anymore. Individuality is lacked in the MLB. Other leagues such as the NFL and NBA are filled with antics on the field, which is why fans never lost sight of those sports.

All-in-all, baseball is bigger and better this year than it has been in years. There were already a few benches clearing brawls and bigger names added to better teams. It hasn't been this exciting in years. Though this sport may have declined a bit in the past, the MLB is finally back.