Today’s blog
Lynn Murphy Mark
Let’s go Cardinals!
Last night I was a fairweather fan. I was pretty tired, the Redbirds were loosing 4 – 1, it was the 8th inning and nothing noteworthy was happening. The Washington Nationals, who are at the bottom of their division, were seemingly in a win/win mode. I turned off the TV and went to bed.
This morning I wake up to a text from my baseball buddy, Rose, who texted last night, “WE WON!!” I had to read it a couple of times while in my morning pre-coffee haze. Apparently the boys had a stellar 9th inning and won the game at the very end. Shame on me for doubting the Cardinals’ ability to come back from next to nothing and save the game at the last minute.
I went on my MLB app and checked out the victory. Yup. They had a 5 run blast of success and put another game in the Win column. If I had just stayed up another 15 minutes, I would have been calling Rose to say “WE WON”. Instead I was fighting with Mollie Dog for my share of the bed…
There is something magical about this season. I’m pretty sure we’ll make the playoffs, thus extending baseball well into October as they fight for a place in the World Series. I know it’s not exactly a “World” series, but there are enough countries represented among all the players to make it a true “International” series.
There are people who don’t understand the allure of baseball. When they say it’s boring, or it’s too slow, or what’s the point, I try to be sympathetic for their loss. When I’m asked why I love this game I have several very good reasons. First of all, it’s a psychological game of wits between pitcher, batter, and catcher. There’s drama at home plate with each throw of the ball. The ball might end up in the stands, for some lucky fan to catch; the ball might end up way out near the wall and there’s some beautiful athleticism when an outfielder leaps up to catch it; there might be a pitch with a base clearing home run. Anything is possible when a pitcher makes a signature move before throwing a rocket to home plate.
This year is full of nostalgia as well. Albert Pujols. Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina, all face huge decisions about the end or not the end of their careers. I feel like Wainwright is the most likely to decide to keep pitching despite his age. Molina has a team to manage in South America and Pujols has been pretty clear that this year is his swan song.
Speaking of swan songs, Rose and I attended our last monthly game on Tuesday evening. We make it a habit to go to at least one game a month every season. It doesn’t matter who is playing, it’s all about being in the stadium. I have a hot dog and Rose has a brat. We sit and watch all the people in their various outfits. We watch people with those huge nachos loaded with peppers and sour cream. We comment on kids eating those dots that are supposed to be ice cream – really? When there’s a Ben and Jerry’s stand?
That’s the gastronomic portion of the game. Then we find our way to the seats and settle in. I love going with Rose because she knows all there is to know about baseball rules and regulations. She often will announce what has just happened before the professional announcers can get a complete sentence out. It’s an art. Our friendship is about so much more than baseball, but being at a game with one’s best friend is about as good as it gets!