The mere mention of the phrase "Pitchers and Catchers" is enough to get me excited, but when that day finally arrives, you know that baseball, the National Pastime, is officially back. Well, that day is today. After a long off-season where the Knicks have become about as much a part of my life as basket weaving, the Giants often proved gutless and without pride, and the Rangers are looking at either missing the playoffs or exiting them in the first round again, it's a comforting feeling to know that baseball season has arrived. Pitchers and catchers today, position players to follow shortly - Spring Training is here.
Spring Training, aside from being a return to glory for those of us who live the game of baseball, is also a time of eternal optimism for the players, management, and fans of every team. Everyone is 0-0. Everyone is in first place. Anything can happen over the course of 162 games. But it's over the course of those 162 games that we'll find the answers to many questions, such as:
- Can the changes that the World Champion Yankees made help get them to number 28?
- Should Jair Jurrjens' sudden shoulder problems become an issue, will the Braves have enough pitching since they traded Javy Vazquez this off-season?
- Will David Ortiz continue his downward spiral now that he's off the juice?
- Can the immortal and legendary slugger that is Pat Burrell lead the Rays back to the World Series?
- Will the Twins make the playoffs and treat their home fans to playoff baseball in -17 degree weather since their new stadium is sans roof? (IDIOTS.)
- Can Zack Greinke win 58 games this year so the Royals have a chance?
- Is any team from either the AL or NL West good enough to contend for the World Series?
- Will Stephen Strasburg make the Nationals out of Spring Training and lead them to the promised land of mediocrity?
- Can the Cubs finally win a World Series, and if so, would the world come to an end?
- Will all of the Cardinals' hitters suddenly put on 40 pounds of muscle and begin hitting home runs at absurd rates?
- Will Roy Halladay continue to prosper now that he pitches in a softball stadium?
- Which 19 Mets will get hurt this year, and when Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel keep their jobs anyway because ownership is cheap, will Queens burn to the ground?
That is of course just a sampling of what we'll find out over the coming season, among many other things. Baseball is back. Thank God.
It's hard to think about baseball season when I got hit in the face with an icicle this morning.
ReplyDeleteProbably the most depressing thing I've ever read. I hate baseball.
ReplyDeleteScott you're running the risk of being banned for life
ReplyDeleteOn behalf of the world, please ban Scott for life.
ReplyDelete