Baseball is needed in January. The one month of the year where I miss it the most. For me, winter is over on January 2 and it's time for baseball. The countdown begins for Spring Training. This posts is designed to carry me through January.
Baseball is memories of my Dad. Baseball is a game that gave me one of my fondest memories of my father, even though no ballgame was actually part of it. About 15 years ago, I was sitting in the dining room of mom and dads home in the country. I remember it like it was last week. I think they even still had the white round dining table, or at least that is the image in my head. I told Dad this, "I am thinking of making a trip to Wrigley Field to see the Cubs, would you like to go?". And while his answer was a pretty quick "naa, I don't think I'd be able to", his unspoken reaction left an impression on my that bubbles up every time I think about him or even see an old photograph. He seemed to light up in his quiet subtle way he that had the ability to do. He almost smiled and maybe it was a smile from the inside that you just felt, but may have not actually seen.
It was like it made his day, just to be asked to go. From that moment on I have had the same impression of that conversation. It was like suddenly I was seen in a different light by my father, which in turn let me see him in a different light. We did not have the most open or communicative of relationships but after that talk it was like we understood and accepted each other. Maybe I put too much into this, but regardless, it impacted me. There are a few moments in my life that have left lasting impressions, mostly the good ones and a lot of them relate to baseball, and my dad.
Baseball is the best of team and one on one competition. This game, on every play, like no other starts with one on one challenge. The pitcher throws the baseball and the hitter tries to hit it. Then the team comes in with defense, and the other 8 players potentially being involved from fielding and throwing to double plays and errors. If the batter fails to hit the ball, then the team is not needed but more often than not some contact is made which would then involve the team. But the team wins, and you play the game knowing that if your team of individuals do not perform well them you will probably not win. Like life, individuals must perform and succeed as separate pieces first or the team does not win.
Baseball is humbling. I remember being humbled, by none other than
Buck O'Neil himself. As he did until his last year or so alive, buck would sit a few rows directly behind home plate at Kauffman Stadium. Always a beacon of smiles and happiness, he drew fans of all ages to him. A stadium usher would watch the isle and only let people without tickets go down to speak to him or to get an autograph, in between innings. It was my turn, 3rd out was made and she nodded her head. It was ok for me to follow the steps down with my KC Monarchs hat in hand like I was taking my written list to see Santa Clause. I lowered myself beside him and unable to speak or perhaps just assumed no speech was necessary, I handed my hat to him. Buck looked up at me with a stern voice and said "Now you ASK me for that autograph young man". Stern at the beginning but in a way that only Buck can do, we was smiling ear to ear by the time the sentence finished.
Lesson learned. I said "may I please have your autograph sir?" And still smiling he said "SURE CAN!" He signed his name and that hat is still a treasure of mine along with that memory. Both the autographed hat and the humbling lesson learned is a manner not many people are able to teach any more. This was a decent man, full of live and full of love for baseball and people most of all. But I imagine baseball fans held a special place in his heart like he has in mine.
Baseball is fair. One of the great things in baseball is it's fairness. There is no clock and no time limit. Everyone gets 3 outs per inning, and no more. But I know some Cardinal fans that dispute this fact for some odd reason. The only thing that can prevent a game going the full nine innings is God himself, or at least some help from Mother Nature! If the home team is trailing after the top of the ninth, they always get a chance for a victory. Winning is not guaranteed but the opportunity is available if you can take advantage of the chances you are guaranteed.
