Four-man outfields. High-tech anti-spying rules. A starting pitcher facing just one batter in a playoff game.
But beyond all the shifts, analytics and social media outreach, here's the best way to tell Major League Baseball has zoomed into a new era: There's not a single active player left from the 20th century.
Adrian Beltre and Bartolo Colon were the last, the Elias Sports Bureau said. And with all 30 teams set to play Thursday — from Bryce Harper's home debut at Citizens Bank Park to Mookie Betts and the champion Boston Red Sox visiting Seattle — this year MLB becomes the first of the four major sports without someone still around who played in the 1900s.
The last time that was true in the big leagues? Back before even the World Series existed.
Already this season, the great Ichiro Suzuki has retired, done at 45 after two hitless games last week as the Mariners swept Oakland at the Tokyo Dome.
"I really wanted to play until I was 50," he said.
As always, youth springs eternal. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr. and Eloy Jimenez lead a strong rookie crop.
Will they be the next Mike Trout or Joe Mauer, or the future Manny Machado or Chase Utley? We'll see.
