5. Rivalries
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants have the longest spring training rivalry in existence, dating back to 1934. Just because exhibition games are not counted towards regular season statistics, does not mean the competition isn’t fierce. Many grudges from previous seasons between players can carry into the following seasons spring training sessions.
And because players fall under less scrutiny for their actions in March, fans have a better chance of seeing something exciting like a bench clearing brawl.
What’s more, there are many minor league players fighting for meaningful roster spots on the active roster. Some to the point of desperation starting to set in, as they could be entering their mid or late 20s in age. The rivalries between both individuals and entire teams can be intense and helps to set the stage for many of the more intriguing story lines that will unfold once the regular season gets underway.
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