This column was near completion when the news of George Steinbrenner’s death broke. I would like to take a moment and remember one of the greatest owners in Major League Baseball. He might have been controversial at times, but he was also unafraid, willing to do whatever it took to win a championship, and he was a well known philanthropist. We won’t ever forget Mr. George Steinbrenner.
And so we have arrived, to that time of year in which there is a
severe lack of sports. I’m not knocking regular season baseball, as I count myself a Rays fan. I remember going to their opening game in St. Pete, and have some original “Devil Rays” gear. There is also Golf-which George Carlin once said was “as boring as watching flies….” well, you can infer what the rest of that statement says. We’re in the gap where there is
no football,
no hockey,
no basketball…a
tough time of year indeed.
The NBA Finals are over-they ended in a most disappointing fashion. Despite my
undying allegiance to Orlando, I couldn’t help but cheer for Boston to beat Los Angeles when they advanced. Also filling up our summer was the 2010
FIFA World Cup, something that sadly only takes place
every four years. (I know, the logistics of changing from the current format would be
impossible, and take away from the value of the tournament.)
Where do we turn our
attention now? For me, the decision on what to watch is an
easy one…
Major League Baseball. This time of year, we have the All-Star game and the Home Run Derby, in a time where home-runs are becoming a lot more
significant and a lot less
commonplace than they once were in the McGwire-Sosa era. In fact, David Ortiz just won last night, and tonight we have the
only All-Star game that matters. Winning league has
home-field advantage in the
World Series.
Pitching has become even more
competitive, and there have been two
PERFECT games thus far, both within three weeks of one another. Lower revenue teams are showing that you don’t have to buy a great team, but can
draft and coach up talent (Rays). This season, more than any other has proven how talented the American League is, as well as how tough-take a look at the
AL East. New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays have some of the very
best records in baseball right now. What makes it even more interesting is the fact that only the three division leaders and top wild-card seed make it. At least
one of these teams will be
left out of the playoffs.
Sure, baseball may not be a fast paced or “
in your face” type of game, but every at-bat
matters, because
one guy can crank one out of the park with a
500 foot slam. Even if your team has a good bullpen,
one good swing by the other guy has
game changing potential. We are also approaching the fall, which means the playoffs. Things begin to
heat up this time of year, making games a lot more enticing.
Even the most
casual fans will start to
pay attention come the end of summer. Baseball
embodies tradition.
So, before you change the channel and start watching Sports Center repeats, or pick up a book because you have nothing better to do,
tune into a
baseball game, get in touch with America’s pastime, and enjoy the
run to the playoffs.
In memory of George Steinbrenner
1930-2010
