A Short Essay On Baseball (And My Love Of It)

My broadcasting friend Rob Adams has written a great blog post about baseball on his page, "Exit 55".  Here are my thoughts on the game called "America's National Pasttime". 

In a few weeks, pitchers and catchers will report to southern climes, and fields will echo with the glorious sounds of a bat hitting a ball.  During spring, no matter how bad they were in the previous year, every team has a chance to win; indeed, "hope springs eternal" in the heart of every fan.  The legendary names and moments of baseball echo, and live again.  They are names like "Joltin" Joe Dimaggio, Ted Williams, Nolan Ryan, Ernie Banks, Ken Griffey Jr.,  Babe Ruth, Mark McGwire, and (as much as I hate to admit it), Barry Bonds (just to name a few). 

There have been no shortage of historic moments in the game.  Where were you when Cal Ripken Jr. played in his record-breaking 2,131st consecutive game, or when Pete Rose broke Ty Cobb's hit mark? What were you thinking when the Red Sox "reversed the curse", or when the Cubs FINALLY, after one hundred and eight years of waiting, won the World Series (and proved "Back To The Future" to be a prophetic film)? Have you ever been to old Yankee Stadium, or made a pilgrimage to Wrigley Field? These are the stories, places, and moments behind a game that has a unique place in American history (and a game that, obviously, I am quite passionate about). 

Through the years, Americans have seen prosperity, war, and sometimes, tragedy.  The one thing that has endured, it seems, is baseball.  It is a game that has always been with us, in good times and bad.  Baseball is a slice of Americana, taking each of us back to days of playing catch in the backyard, or enjoying a hot dog on a warm summer day.  To some extent, I think baseball IS America.  It celebrates strength, ability, and the coming together of a team in pursuit of excellence.  To me, that's something to be appreciated, and cherished.  

A cold and tough winter will soon come to an end; spring, and warmer weather, is approaching.  It won't be too long before we hear the cry of "play ball" once again.  Whichever team you happen to root for, have fun enjoying what's sure to be another great season, and be sure to save me a seat at "the old ballgame".