MLB commissioner Rob Manfred recently spoke about shortening the MLB regular season from 162 to 154 games. However, the MLB has not seen a 154 game season since 1920.

The reasoning behind this change is from the MLBPA. The players’ association claims that 21 off-days is not enough. However, the players had been doing 162 games since 1921.

Obviously, complications will come with the shortening of the season. The most homeruns by a player in a 162 game season will probably be more than the most homeruns in a 154 game season. Removing eight games from the season will dramatically change the record books. A 154 game season will make it more difficult for a player to break season and career records. Less games means less plays for players to break records on.

On the other hand, the T.V. stations would have to restructure their contracts for the upcoming season. Also, the playoffs could be reformatted as a result of a regular season change. As a  compromise with the T.V. stations, the MLB could add more postseason games as a result of subtracting eight regular season games. In the end, doing away with eight games from the regular season would hurt the MLB financially and historically.