MLB important dates for the 2023 season

Admittedly, it's difficult to get excited about the 2023 Major League Baseball season getting underway when you're a fan of the Cincinnati Reds.

Let's be honest, the Reds haven't really been relevant since the 2012 season. Sure, the 2021 season offered a tiny glimpse of hope, but Bob Castellini and the Reds ownership group took the organization in a different direction last spring.

But, despite how good Joe Burrow and the Bengals have performed of late, Cincinnati is still a baseball town. Let's take a look at some of the most important dates on the baseball calendar in 2023.

MLB important dates for the 2023 season.

Let's start with Opening Day. Every Reds fan knows that Opening Day in Cincinnati is not just another date on the calendar, but an event. The Findlay Market Parade returned last year after a two-year hiatus due to the cornoavirus pandemic.

However, Reds Opening Day in 2022 was quite different that in year's past. Cincinnati opened on the road for the first time since 1990 due to the MLB lockout. This year, the Redlegs open the season at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 30th at 4:10 PM ET.

Mark your calendars for Jackie Robinson Day on Saturday, April 15th. MLB will commemorate the day that Robinson made his major league debut. After playing on the road in LA for the celebratory event last season, the Reds will be at home to face the Philadelphia Phillies for Jackie Robinson Day this season.

The Mexico City Series is back in 2023. The Reds played in the international series versus the St. Louis Cardinals in 2019. This year, it'll feature the San Francisco Giants and the San Diego Padres.

This year's MLB All-Star Game will take place in Seattle. After the Reds shipped nearly half their team to the Pacific Northwest in 2022, perhaps Cincinnati's lone All-Star representative will have a place to stay for the weekend.

The Reds have several players who could be first-time All-Stars in 2023. Jonathan India, Tyler Stephenson, and Hunter Greene will be vying for their first trip to the Midsummer Classic.

The MLB trade deadline will presumably return to July 31st this year after being pushed to August 2nd in 2022. The Cincinnati Reds are unlikely to be as active this year, but a few names could surface as the season goes along.

The Reds will wrap up the 2023 season with a trip to St. Louis for a three-game set with the Cardinals. Will Cincinnati be in contention for a playoff spot by the time the last game of the season rolls around. Most experts would say no, but that's why they play the 162 games.