The Art of Goodbye

Seeing Youk go was watching a piece of nostalgia walking away with that bald head and ballerina batting stance. But let's face it, he's not the first to go. And he's not the last

            Every bride looks beautiful, but she was elegant and angelic. Her dad walked his baby girl down the isle with a face that revealed his secret; that he would break down at any time. A tear finally rolled down his cheek as he kissed her good bye. Hearts broke as she clutched to him for one last embrace, the way things were.

            At the reception I asked him what he thought about it all.

            “Just another day,” he said and looked out to his daughter.

            And it was.

            They would hug again. He would tell her he loved her and she would always be his little girl but in one tear was a moment of purity that said potently, “life is precious and the time is fleeting.”

            On my way home I sat in a quiet airport gate, scrolling through the news that Kevin Youkilis, the Greek God of Walks had been traded.

            “Red Sox acquire INF/OF Brent Lilibridge and RHP Zach Stewart from White Sox in exchange for Youk”

            “After 9 years in Boston, Youk is changing the color of his sox”

            I read the tweets and Facebook statuses over and over. Finally I read, “Kevin Youkilis is honored on field with standing ovation after being removed from game”. Another tweet described how bellows of “Youkkkkk!” soared through the Fenway air. Something it wouldn’t do the same way ever again.

            Sitting on the hot tarmac in Pittsburgh I felt the goosebumps from imagining the sight and sound of what that good bye must have meant miles away in Boston. 

            Before then, as I went through the security checkpoint, two young teenage girls hugged each other discretely on the side of a gift shop. Their shoulders rose and fell with their sobs. Over that unmistakable human sound of weeping, I heard the delicate words, “good bye”.

            How naïve, that they thought a good thing wouldn’t come to an end.

             Even though that was true, strangers turned away because no one was strong enough to deny it was hard not to want to cry right along with them.

            No, there’s no crying in baseball. But at the very moment Youk was saying good bye to the Boston Red Sox, I was at an airport- the very place where the inevitability of life is comings and goings. And even when that’s recognized, you still can’t help but fight back the tears when touches of emotion pops into the patterns of redundancy and you remember just why you’re sad to go.

            Life returns. The girl’s tears stopped halfway through security. Youk will get walks, he will bat and play in a different uniform ( and be 1 and 4 in his first attempt). More will come and more will go. That’s why it’s so important to stop and appreciate the power of goodbye and all it teaches in being grateful for good memories.

            I read another tweet, while I sit paused in the place that is all about good byes. “David Ortiz is now the last remaining member of the 2004 team.”

             2004.
            Now those were some good memories.

           

As a player you might never know how you will be received in Fenway for the first time you're not one of them. But inside, I think you know if you'll be accepted among the greatest crowd of all. 

It's been fun, wish you the best.  

Don't Push Me 'Cause I'm Close to the Edge

Incase you don’t know, it takes a lot for Boston DH David Ortiz to get mad. And in case you REALLY don’t know, he did in fact get mad on Friday. I give you the tale of the cleverly named baseball soap opera- to be named later.

            Papi went from the loveable big guy we know and love, to the agitated beast that charged the mound against the Orioles after a batter-pitcher duel where Ortiz thought the ball went a little too far inside. Ortiz hit a fly ball to center and as he casually jogged his normal route to first, something took him off his course.

            But what could possibly poke the bear inside Papi enough to get a reaction?            

            Apparently Oriole pitcher Kevin Gregg said, something to the effect of, “Hey, get down that baseline and run.”

             NOONE tells Papi to run.

            After both benches cleared (I personally enjoyed the concerned look on Pedroia’s face as he trotted out to help his friend) Ortiz was ejected, as well as Orioles Kevin Gregg (the pitcher in question), Jim Johnson and Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

            If it wasn’t perfect enough to see Ortiz throwing punches (he hit nothing) but that ESPN and several MLB watchdogs were recently criticizing the league’s frequent and possibly escalating number of ejections. We the fans had before us a front row seat to the game where baseball is just baseball.  

             Speaking of that sentiment, that’s exactly what Gregg tried to get at as he talked to reporters after the game.

            He starts off, “We’re playing the game of baseball.”

            (So far so good Gregg)

            “I think you’ve got to ask David what he was thinking. It’s 3-0 and you’re up seven runs and the opposing pitcher gets upset with you hitting a weak fly ball on a 3-0 count and not running.”

            (Alright, okay- see what you’re saying)

             “You know if he thinks there’s something wrong with me saying that then he’s got other things he needs to figure out in this game.”

            Well I get everything except for the part that crowned Gregg the God of sore losers. And also, if he is done “figuring out” the game then trash talk must be the only part of the game he’s concerned about.

            But wait, he makes another point.

            “You’ve got 17 inches on the plate you’ve got to use all seventeen inches, if you don’t you’re going to get your ass kicked every time you go out there.”

            (I’m going to let the irony of the score and that previous, “get your ass kicked” statement play out for yourself.)

             “So that’s what I was doing when I was out there, they’re going to whine and complain about it because they think they’re better than everybody else but no, we have just as much a right to pitch inside as they do.”

              Touche good sir. But yet again, there is something missing in Gregg’s logic. First, I missed the part where using all 17 inches of the plate meant using your mouth and second, like a pitcher’s right to pitch inside, (especially against a batter like Ortiz) every batter has their right to be nervous when a fastball comes careening a little too close to the goods if you know what I mean. Then add an inconsistent pitcher to the equation and the nerves tend to spike when that pitcher is indeed trying to put a thread through a needle.

            Now back to the story. When Salty asked Papelbon later what he thought about Gregg calling the sox a bunch of whiners? His answer was gloriously indicative to the current flow and tone of the sox.

            “What do we have to whine about?”

            As far as the comment about the Red Sox thinking they are better than everyone else, all I can say is grow up and talk to us when you’re leading the league. Let’s not forget where you were last year, and the many years before that, okay Orioles?

            I believe ladies and gentleman, we have reached a milestone here, and the first ever true story where shutting up, making no excuses and playing like a damn champion is sooo relevant on both sides. It was fun while it lasted but it only makes everyone look stupid. More so Gregg than Papi because Gregg was just plain disrespectful.

            Oh and P.S- Something to make Sox fans happy; ESPN’s midseason awards where they cleaned house. Maybe that’s why Greggy-poo is so jealous. 

What a Difference a Month Makes

Red Sox, for a moment, I believe I spotted your doppelganger (the winning portion). Thank gosh Red Sox fans are too quick to praise and too quick to judge. Thank gosh for the month of May 2011 the Sox gave them reasons to. We’re only 100 some-odd games away from post season, but oh, how I love May- you’re either clicking or you’re… the ’09 Pirates. 

Some stories of May that will make you think.

            From suckage to awesomeness. WINNING is the Sox new mentality. Who ever’s slipping them the win juice don’t stop. (And no, I am not accusing of the ‘riods, but damn)

            The Red Sox win in all sorts of fashions. The hard, the close, the not at all- the rare but always welcome easy. Who knew come the May/June transition it would be the annihilation win that fans would witness with 14 run games.

            The Red Sox have scored 14 runs in back-to-back games for the eighth time since 1920, the first time since 1998. What’s even better for sports writers and not better for fan’s ulcers is this comes in a season where the Sox started out with less happy statistics. The longest losing streak to start a season, or it felt like it with an embarrassing 0-6 start that evolved to a 2-10 beginning.

            But an offensive explosion has happened and at least for three games it is having an atomic bomb effect for the batting order. The Sox recorded a seven game win streak then had a slip up to the Cubs and NOW- well now I’m in heaven and all of Boston can breathe again.

            That was a little snippet to my larger commentary to the Red Sox turnaround. Then Lester happened. Again.            

            “Jon Lester is the best left-handed pitcher in baseball.”

That’s at least what some commentators from MLB Network think… or thought. ESPN Power rankings had revealed Boston at a solid third place, the only people that disagreed thought the Sox should be at second. 

        Carl Crawford was dubbed the best hitter in the league. He batted .423 with three homers, eight RBI’s in seven games and was named AL player of the week last week. It’s hard to think, when a few games ago hearing, “Crawford is 0 for four on the night” was a regular saying.

            What a difference a month makes. Or, for the Sox, what a difference one game makes.

            When their last winning streak ended to the Cubs in game two of the series, it was okay because then Boston fans saw it as a fluke and a thankful pinch of reality as fans knew greatness was close.

            Then it happened and a dormant Boston offense awoke with a fierce fury of bats. Those in Bean town secretly chuckled remembering distant memories of panic in an early losing season. Remember when we were worried? pssh.

            It was a wonderful sight to behold as Ortiz, Gonzalez, Youk, Pedrioa, the ever consistent Ellsbury and of course Crawford became a confident front. A look at the past and the turnaround was a true manifestation of the sport’s great power to take control of those who should have been in control all along. But at least for May, the batting order that once evoked goose bumps in early expectation, were doing exactly what they were expected- with even more results then imagined.

            Which brings us back to Monday May 30, 2011, the cusp to another month. Another reminder that the winds of summer are coming and this is a long season.

            This brings us back to the glorious accolades Lester received before a darkly witnessed Sox loss handed by a team with a seven game win streak. Almost as large as Boston’s once-upon-a-time win streak. Now that goes back to 0.

            The series was not lost after game one but more people looked at the mechanics that were so greatly admired in the left-handed pitcher that did Lester no good on Sunday, especially in the sixth inning. Try telling of his infallible greatness to Red Sox nation who worried every time he took to the mound, try telling the four batters he hit on Sunday alone.

            This game, especially when the ball rests in dominated hands is an imperfect game. Especially when it takes one inning to turn back the clocks of perfection.

            The Chi Sox series was lost in a dominant sweep, and a brief stint at first is now just a memory. No, it’s not the end of the world, but Boston has lost its fourth straight for the first time since a six-game, season-opening slide. Well damn it.

            A new month, a new power ranking, a new series. Nothing is certain in sport and I for one just realized June is barely waving it’s welcome into the summer portion of the season. And just like the sound of an enemy home run smacking the Green Monster’s wall, a loss now is a rude push back to the reality of the game.

             

            Ebbs and flows of a season are the tugs and pulls on the passion of baseball fans. You can be on the top of the world, then come crashing down. Rockies fans know this toll well. In April the Rockies pulled away with a dazzling record and spots on ESPN’s top plays. But May would be a struggle of pitching, injuries and double headers. And still, star Ubaldo Jimenez was battling his own demons and a win drought dating back to September 2010.

            Rediscovering success and proving your own mind wrong can be the biggest battles an athlete can face. On June 1^st, the first day into a new month, Jimenez sent 14 in a row back to the dugout and struck out seven and walked no one for the first time this season- this being his 10^th start. He kept batters off balance and recorded his third career shutout, the last one in May 2010.

            Jimenez’s smile that June night was that of a man who could breathe for the first time in a long time, of an athlete that was reminded that no matter the deficit- persistence and focus will reward you eventually. He proved to himself at the age of 27 he, thankfully, could still pitch.

Dude, relax, you've got like 100 more games

ESPN’s Colin Cowherd recently asked, “Do we think that maybe, just sometimes, baseball takes it’s self a little too seriously?”

         Yes and definitely.  

         This week the Chicago Cubs make a historic trip to Boston’s Fenway Park, in a series that has baseball fans flocking to Boston and TV’s everywhere.

         And WHHATT a glorious time for this series to come up.

         After a sweep of the Yankees, and several close games in late innings to follow, the Sox have won six in a row and things are starting to come together. Better late than never right?

          Too bad the talent didn’t ignite till over 40 games in, but no matter, Crawford singled to center allowing McDonald to score, thus winning the game in Detroit, late in the ninth. And just like that the faithful are back in the swing of believing. Oh and add a little Adrian Gonzolez in there, mix with the usual Youk, Papi and Papelbon and you’ve got a win streak and finally an over .500 percentage.

         Pitching, in a season perspective, will still be a concern, even as Bucholz has found his confidence and Beckett has been well, stunning, even though he left his last game early with a stiff neck.

          Worries still lie with Lackey, who gives me a heart attack every time he’s on the mound, and Dice-k, both moved onto the 15-day disabled list. That being said I couldn’t think of a better time for the Sox to check themselves before they wreck themselves.

         After all, I loved the wins against the Yankees, but the New Yorker’s were worried about more things than just grass stains on their pinstripes; A losing streak and a well-known veteran making, gasp, mutinous statements. So, how does one measure the Sox win, versus the Yankee loss is difficult when Jeter couldn’t find a base. This certainly isn’t 2004.

         From a completely biased Red Sox perspective, this Cub’s series should be “should win games”. But as my Dad always says, “that’s why they play the games.”

         Anyway you see it, this upcoming series is great for baseball.

It’s interleague play. It’s the curses, the old time America, and oh yeah, the most pathetic fans in sports- all in one place. Can I get a hell yeah?

          In Fenway for the first time since 1918, damn I wish I could be there. For those of you that scoff at baseball, who tire of it’s long and “snail-like” games, just don’t rain on this parade. We know our sport is not the flashiest, and sometimes it can get a little tiring… it can get disposable. But that’s why games like these are so important. Yes it’s for the win or loss, yes we are always in a pennant race (the fans at least feel that way, don’t know about players) but every once in a while we take a slow game and slow it down even more for two storied teams to remind us of days where baseball only came in black and white.

         Thank gosh nowadays we have color TV’s, color commentating and a whole hell of a lot of in-depth packages and advertising. Baseball can be boring as hell, but just boring enough to take it a little too seriously.

         And in the spirit of that seriousness take a look at ESPN’s Jayson Stark’s injury of the week,

“Padres bullpen catcher Justin Hatcher needed two shots of penicillin last weekend -- after getting bit by a squirrel in the bullpen at Coors Field.”

How does that happen?

Happy Baseball People.