State of Play (or why I hate today's athlete and the Mets)

There was a time when I would watch dozens of baseball games during a summer.  I would argue with friends about the merits of America's pastime over football.  The complexity and strategy involved far surpasses the brawn and muscle associated with football.  The smell of green grass and hot dogs on a sun splashed afternoon are unmistakable hallmarks of this great country.

Then the strike of 1994.  Then the steroid crisis.  Then Barry Bonds.  Then Roger Clemens.  Then the Red Sox win 2!!! titles.  And Joe Buck.  And Tim McCarver.  And Theo Epstein.  And Devil Rays and Marlins and Diamondbacks.  What the hell is this game anymore???

Finally today Mr. Underachiever Jose Reyes, on the precipice of a batting title, takes himself out of the game after a 1st inning bunt single.  1 for 1 and leading the league in hitting at .337.  Matt Kemp out in LA will have to have a great night to surpass this number.

Was Reyes hurt?  Nope.  He simply wanted out.  Fans in attendance (paying mightily) were naturally upset.  Perhaps they thought they would see him do what Ted Williams did many years ago.  On the last day of the season in 1941 he came into the day batting .400.  All he did was play both games of a doubleheader (one admission for those in attendance too!!!) and go 6 for 8.  He finished the season at .406 and cemented his legend.

Reyes, like so many of our athletes today, is more apt to play it safe.  They do just enough but maybe not ALL they can to achieve greatness.  They show flashes of brilliance, but then disappear for weeks with hamstring injuries or neck sprains from sleeping wrong.  Now we have guys headed to the DL for depression or aversions to crowds.

It is all very telling.  When we raise our kids soft what else should we expect?  

How on Earth can I root for this?  How can I tell people to love the grand game when it is more a sham each and every year?  The NFL is but 3 weeks in and I am already fully committed.

The games play wonderfully on television and last 3 hours.  Although the players partake in their share of drama and nonsense the shear physical nature of the sport garners my respect.  It is 16 weeks and out.  

Oh who am I kidding???  I will be tuned in tonight to watch the Rays beat the Yankees and Red Sox lose to Baltimore.  Then I will watch Joe Buck pontificate about minutia for the weeks that follow culminating in another non-Yankees champion.

I love America's game and always will.

It just pains me that I have little ground to stand on these days.  It's selfish and arrogant players like Reyes that make it a losing argument.  

Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio???

Of course after I rant and rave about the state of baseball and today's athlete I am witness to one of the more remarkable evenings of sport I can remember.

And let's not forget I hate the Yankees and all of the American League.  And I hate the Cardinals and Braves too.

No matter, I love the game.  Last night, the game was pitch perfect.

First, it was the Rays not giving up down 7-0 with 6 outs remaining in their season.  I will ignore Joe Girardi handing them the game down the stretch.  After all, with 2 outs and down 1 in the bottom of the ninth it is no guarantee you hit a home run to tie it.  And the Yankees had plenty of chances to push a run home in extra innings.  They did not.  So the Rays live on and may be the last thing NY wants to see next week.

The beauty of the night was Boston's epic collapse.  Could this be the start of another 100 year curse???  Boy I hope so.  The Orioles had nothing to play for and were too down to their last out before Jonathan Papelbon impoded and failed to throw anything but his heater.

The reaction of Baltimore as they eliminated Boston was priceless.  This was their World Series.  This was unadulterated joy.  This was what sport is all about.  Strip the salaries and egos and entertain, play the game as it is intended.  Great, great stuff.

Now I think I am ready for the postseason.  Let's go Brewers and Tigers!!!  Show me this game is still grand and pure.  Knock the NFL off the back pages for a week or so.  We will have all winter to watch the Jets break their fans hearts.

for more:  www.guidetomsomewhere.blogspot.com