I'd like to wish all my readers a very Happy Thanksgiving!
In keeping with the theme of thankfulness, here are some numbers in the baseball world to which this sentiment applies.
21 - That is the number of consecutive years of labor peace that baseball is guaranteed with MLB and the MLBPA having agreed on a new five-year collective bargaining agreement. As contentious as baseball's labor history has been, the general state of harmony that has existed since the last players' strike ended in early 1995 represents the longest such stretch since the MLBPA was formed in 1953. In that time the NHL has lost a full season, the NBA lost part of the 1998-1999 season and has already canceled games for this season, and the NFL went through an extended lockout this year before coming to an agreement just before the season started. Life is good for baseball fans right now.
2,728 - That is the number of career wins for future Hall of Fame manager Tony LaRussa. Tony goes out on top, having led the St. Louis Cardinals to an astonishing World Series victory after prevailing in an equally thrilling National League Wild Card race on the last day of the regular season. That gives him three World Series titles to go along with six pennants.
160,000,000 - That is the total dollar value of Matt Kemp's new contract extension to stay with the Los Angeles Dodgers. It is great to see that one of the league's premier franchises is beginning to move past the prolonged financial troubles and legal battles that have been hanging over the club. Kemp and 2011 Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw are two of the bright young stars of the game, and this signing shows that the Dodgers may yet have a bright future ahead of them.
24 - That is the number of different teams, out of 30 total MLB franchises, that have reached the playoffs in the last 10 years dating back to 2002. Furthermore, there have been eight different World Series champions in those 10 years. While there may be some degree of luck involved in getting through the playoffs and winning the World Series, it is an impressive accomplishment to sustain success over the 162-game regular season to make the playoffs. That level of parity is a reason that every fan should feel hopeful that their team could very easily become the next great contender. Even Cubs fans have reason to hope!
Infinity - That's the number of thank yous I'd like to give my staff for all their help in bringing you Stat of the Week. My name is on this feature, but they do more than their share of the heavy lifting. Thank you to Rob Burckhard, Charles Fiore, Ben Jedlovec, Amanda Modelski and Joe Rosales. You guys do great work!