It was over as soon as it started, more or less, the strangest little season in the history of baseball. Sixty games were all we got, not even 10 weeks — fewer games than a pro basketball or hockey schedule, fewer weeks than an N.F.L. season.
“Last year was a sprint, and I don’t know if everybody was prepared to sprint, not only on our team but on other teams as well,” said Dusty Baker, the manager of the Houston Astros. “It’s actually more fun playing 162, because then, let’s see who’s the strongest mentally, physically and as a unit.