We\u2019re almost a month into the Major League Baseball regular season, and while the standings look like a creation from another topsy-turvy universe \u2014 perhaps your favorite team is one of the projected contenders currently floundering far below .500 \u2014 we\u2019re taking a beat to step behind the scenes.<\/p>\n
Following recent stories about player group chats<\/a> and tax returns<\/a>, readers had more questions about big leaguers\u2019 lives. Let\u2019s get to the answers.<\/p>\n The questions have been edited for clarity.<\/p>\n Which away stadium do players despise playing at? And for what reason \u2026 intimidating atmosphere, poor facilities, etc.? \u2014\u00a0Chris D.<\/p>\n After poking around for an afternoon, I came to two conclusions: It\u2019s hard to \u201cdespise\u201d any setting where you\u2019re treated like a big leaguer, but this is certainly a common clubhouse debate.<\/p>\n Players\u2019 takes about road cities and stadiums are subjective \u2014 and often deeply petty \u2014 so it\u2019s hard to make a definitive claim without a group of players rating each place across several categories.<\/p>\n Good news: We\u2019ve got just that.<\/p>\n In one clubhouse last year, this debate turned into an unscientific survey. Players graded each MLB team\u2019s setup in three areas: stadium ambience, facilities and the city itself. The Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays, in temporary homes at the time, were excluded. The big loser in this ranking \u2014\u00a0and it wasn\u2019t particularly close \u2014\u00a0was the Baltimore Orioles, who ranked bottom-three in all three categories, including worst in facilities. The visiting clubhouse is outdated, and the weight room is in a hallway, next to some garbage chutes.<\/p>\n Top MLB road destinations<\/p>\n The Cubs were first in stadium ambience, and the Chicago White Sox last. The Texas Rangers were first in facilities, and the Orioles last. The Padres were first in road city, and the Minnesota Twins and Reds tied for last.<\/p>\n I hope this answers your question, Chris. Players don\u2019t seem to despise road cities because the atmosphere is intimidating; they care more about whether the clubhouse is cramped, if the food is good, and if the crowd has juice on a lazy Tuesday. Even a player on another team who agreed Baltimore\u2019s facilities are lacking added, \u201cLove the hotel, though.\u201d<\/p>\n What is a player\u2019s routine after a game? It\u2019s 10 p.m., you just finished playing. Are there workouts? Where do they eat? What time do they go to sleep? \u2014\u00a0Aaron M.<\/p>\n A few players lift after the game, but most of that is done pregame. A pitcher who appeared in the game might even do a quick lift during the game. A postgame meal is provided after each game, and most players eat that \u2014 either in the clubhouse or on their way out. It used to be that players would stick around the clubhouse longer to hang out and play cards, but these days most, especially those with families, clear out as soon as they fulfill their media obligations.<\/p>\n Once back at home or the hotel, many players need a while to wind down. Exhausted body, wired brain. It\u2019s recommended they keep the lights low and rehydrate. They\u2019re not all nocturnal creatures, but because most days they don\u2019t need to be back at the ballpark until early afternoon, there\u2019s time to sleep in. (Getaway days are a different story.)<\/p>\n Typical bedtime after a night game ranges from midnight to 2 a.m.<\/p>\n How often do clubhouse fights\/arguments actually happen every year? \u2014 Will C.\u00a0<\/p>\n Is it a bummer if I tell you it\u2019s rare these days?<\/p>\n It\u2019s hard to keep reporters from sniffing out significant scuffles, so I think you\u2019re hearing about most of them. Minor squabbles happen all the time, but if we set the bar at shouting matches that grab the collective attention of the clubhouse?<\/p>\n \u201cLike, never,\u201d one player said.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe one every two years?\u201d another guessed.<\/p>\n It\u2019s exceedingly rare for players to come to fisticuffs \u2014 a third player mused that it seemed to happen more in the past \u2014\u00a0so most clubhouse fights are just wars of words.<\/p>\n You get off a night game and then have an afternoon game the next day before travel. What is that change in the routine like? What time do you get to the ballpark on most days? \u2014\u00a0James<\/p>\n Players try to get to bed earlier the night before a getaway day \u2014 ideally coming off a late afternoon game, not a night game \u2014 and wake up early. There\u2019s a big bag plopped in front of every locker that they\u2019ll hurriedly pack after the game. Players mill about, sipping coffee and getting pregame treatment. It\u2019s not the worst, just an early morning. The people you should feel bad for are clubhouse attendants, some of whom arrive as early as 5 a.m. on getaway days.<\/p>\n Players typically report to the clubhouse around 9 a.m. for a 1 p.m. game, and 1 p.m. for a 7 p.m. Teams don\u2019t take attendance right when the clubhouse opens, but players are aware of what time they\u2019re expected to stretch, so they\u2019ve got to be on time for that.<\/p>\n How many free shirts, sweatshirts, hats, etc., does a big leaguer get? \u2014 Mike T.\u00a0<\/p>\n The amount of swag is grotesque.<\/p>\n It\u2019s truly unquantifiable, as it ranges greatly depending on a player\u2019s star power. A player with a large social media following will see a wild assortment of deliveries appear at their locker: sneakers, spikes, hoodies, beanies, bats, gloves, random electrolyte drinks. Some are sent by their sponsors, but the bulk comes from companies hoping to endorse them. There are piles of boxes that they often never open.<\/p>\n