The old adage goes something like, "Baseball is a marathon, not a sprint."
Indeed, a 162-game season ensures players will go through peaks and valleys, slumps and hitting streaks. Finishing strong is more important for both players and teams; just ask anyone on the 2019 Washington Nationals.
That said, fast starts can precede stardom. Conversely, some players never quite recover from sluggish beginnings. How should these performances be rated, and how might early success—or lack thereof—project down the line?
Let's take a look at some of the most stunning starts to the 2021 season.