It’s time to pass the hat! And there’s nothing you can do about that…
Seriously folks, you better take up a collection to keep me away from the stadium if you want us to continue winning this season. I snuck off to the game today on a friend’s extra ticket (being a bum has its upsides!) and we wound up losing in ten, even with The Pitcher Formerly Known as Eric Gagne, AL Cy Young winner on the mound for the Brewers. I am now 0-2 on the season for field trips while the Cardinals are at 11-5 and on top of the NL Central. Sorry guys, but unless motivated otherwise (financially) I’ll keep going back like a bug to a light.
I didn’t get a shot of it (left the house in too much of a hurry to grab the camera), but I noticed the grounds crew had messed with the infield cutouts since the last time I was there. They are better now – less boxy and more curvy, but still a little wonky and unbalanced for my liking.
While enjoying the view (beautiful day for baseball, folks!) and not focusing on the class I had to attend later, I was chatting with my friend. She was talking about how she didn’t think this team was the same as last year. As in this club had less energy and wasn’t in it this year. Seeing as it was middle school day at the stadium, I held myself back from choice words and kept it to “I disagree.”
I think the outfield is a big piece of evidence in the argument that this team is different; sure, there are some of the same guys patrolling the grass, but in different capacities and frequencies. Ankiel was around for some of last year, but he was platooned in the corners for a good part of the time. Now he’s the leader in center. Ludwick gave days off and pinch hits and Skip was moving around in AAA. Duncan was more of an everyday player than he is presently; Barton was in the bus leagues for Cleveland. Although four of the same bodies are involved, it’s an entirely different dynamic that seems to be working. I have to say, I love having the kids around. Not only do I get less mad when a mistake is made because of inexperience instead of age, I get the feeling that the team will improve as everybody learns together. And that is my pep talk for the day.
