On Thanksgiving Day, a tradition continues in the baseball community as each Major League Baseball team and its fans are offered a reason to be thankful, regardless of how their 2025 season unfolded.
For the Philadelphia Phillies, this offseason is marked by high expectations. The team’s urgency to win is seen as a reflection of its strong roster. As stated in the annual roundup, “The Phillies are one of the most interesting teams in baseball this offseason, with as much as urgency as anyone. But that urgency is because of just how set up they are to win: You don’t have expectations as high as the Phillies if you don’t have the players who can meet them.”
Across MLB, other teams also find reasons for optimism or gratitude. The Toronto Blue Jays reached their first World Series in 32 years, signaling a new window of contention. The Baltimore Orioles continue to rely on young offensive talent despite setbacks. The Tampa Bay Rays look forward to returning to Tropicana Field with improvements after playing at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
In the American League Central, Cleveland Guardians fans appreciate José Ramírez’s ongoing impact on franchise history. The Kansas City Royals build around Bobby Witt Jr., while Detroit Tigers fans celebrate Tarik Skubal’s back-to-back Cy Young Awards and postseason appearances.
Elsewhere, transitions and new beginnings mark several clubs’ outlooks. The Minnesota Twins anticipate participating in the Field of Dreams Game next year. For the Texas Rangers, hiring manager Skip Schumaker and Jacob deGrom’s return from injury provide hope for future success.
National League teams also highlight positives amid challenges. The Milwaukee Brewers note their current era as the most successful in franchise history regarding postseason appearances. New leadership aims to reshape both the St. Louis Cardinals and Colorado Rockies.
As each fanbase reflects on what went right or offers hope for improvement, this Thanksgiving tradition underscores baseball’s enduring place in American culture—reminding supporters that even after difficult seasons, there remain reasons for gratitude.
