The middle of February is a great time for baseball fans. The weather is starting to get warmer (except in Buffalo, which doesn't get the weather memo), the grass is turning green, and opening day for baseball is just six weeks away. Hope springs eternal for every fan of every team, who truly believe that this is the year their hometown heroes are going to win the World Series. The same votes of confidence are muttered by rabid supporters every season. Seamus, a 30 year old pub owner from South Boston, says, "If Josh Beckett stays healthy, and our offense is able to hit with some power, the Red Sox are gonna go wicked fah in the playoffs." Tony, a 45 year old cheesesteak entrepreneur from Philadelphia, claims, "Yo, if that wimp Brad Lidge can get his fragile mind right and nail down 40 saves, the World Series is in the bag for the Phillies." Vinny, a 24 year old chop shop employee from Queens, is almost certain that "If the back end of our rotation steps up, our stars stay healthy, and Jeff Francoeur gets lost on the way to the ballpark, the Mets are easily gonna win the title. Fogedaboutdit." Then there are Cubs fans. We won't talk about them.
Preseason optimism is one of the elements that makes baseball so great. Sure, it is very easy to believe YOUR team is going to win it all before even one game is played. But what about if you're a fan of a team that has no chance? If you're a Nationals fan, do not tell me about how "dominant" your ballclub will be this year. The Nationals won 59 games last year (out of 162). They could be in a division all by themselves and still be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs two weeks into the season. As a Pirates, Blue Jays, or Athletics fan, one would have to be truly disillusioned to think their franchise is going to take home the trophy this year. So please, if your team is not going to compete in this upcoming campaign (admit it, you know who you are), do not set yourself up for disappointment when your club starts the season 12-45.
Preseason optimism is one of the elements that makes baseball so great. Sure, it is very easy to believe YOUR team is going to win it all before even one game is played. But what about if you're a fan of a team that has no chance? If you're a Nationals fan, do not tell me about how "dominant" your ballclub will be this year. The Nationals won 59 games last year (out of 162). They could be in a division all by themselves and still be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs two weeks into the season. As a Pirates, Blue Jays, or Athletics fan, one would have to be truly disillusioned to think their franchise is going to take home the trophy this year. So please, if your team is not going to compete in this upcoming campaign (admit it, you know who you are), do not set yourself up for disappointment when your club starts the season 12-45.
Breathless for the season to start? Anticipation coupled with dreams of triumph... It all adds up to the joy of sport -- or the pre-sport sport.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to Orlando to see the Braves play the Phillies during spring break, and I am PUMPED! The great thing about spring training games is that the players can hear your heckling. And I will be doing A LOT of heckling. Chase Utley isn't going to know what to think.
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