Holy GOD, is the fuckin’ wind gonna blow every single day this winter? I’m SO tired of the wind, and the cold, and the long, dark days. I’ve been sick, my friends have been REALLY sick…so how about a break here? Bring on the spring. And just what’s hastening my desire to see the days turn warm and the grass to turn green? Well, it is…of all things…“America’s National Pasttime.” Yep. Baseball.
Blame it on an old documentary about the game, “Ken Burns’ Baseball.” Two innings down, seven to go, and I’m hooked- on the show, on the game. Anyone who’s ever been interested in the players, the history, the stats, and the fun of the game needs to pick up a copy of this show. I’d be willing to bet that even die-hard fans will discover things they didn’t know.
Now, I won’t claim to have ever been a true aficionado, but ever since I was a little kid watching the Padres play in San Diego, I’ve been a fan of the sport. I don’t know the players well, I can’t quote you last year’s stats, but when the Rockies beat the odds and found themselves in the World Series, I found myself drawn to the game once again, and I’ve experienced some of the excitement I used to feel on those warm summer nights under the bright stadium lights. Since I haven’t followed the game in so long, I can’t lay claim to a favorite team…Cubs? Nah. Yankees? Hmmm (guess I’ll leave them for you, BP). Ok then, until they give me a reason to re-think the decision…Go Rockies!!
This year, my goal is to watch (or go to?) a game, any game, whenever the opportunity arises. I want to learn the stats, I want to know the players. I watched some of last year’s Series with a friend who reminded me how much more fun it is to watch a game with company (and pineapple wine!) than it is to watch alone, so here’s hoping that maybe this season I can look forward to more baseball and friends- the bar’s always open, guys. I know I’d have a blast…and maybe learn something in the process.
And until the season gets in full swing, I’ll bide my time and wait for the day when the wind stops blowing, the flowers start blooming, the trees leaf out, the days grow long and the nights stay warm, and the first cry of the season goes out…
PLAY BALL!
