Tomorrow is not just Hallmark's favorite time to gouge consumers on cheesey heart-shaped gifts, it's also those three magic words for baseball fans... Pitcher and Catchers -- the official start of spring training. FINALLY!
All around the blogosphere and in main stream media outlets, there will be stories regaling the onset of the new baseball season... but I'm not that sentimental. I'm glad it's here, but let's not get schmaltzy. That being said, here is a poem by Lucas Brown, titled Twas the Night before Spring Training:
Twas the night before Spring Training, when all through the clubhouse
Not a creature was stirring, except the managers.
The uniforms were hung in the lockers with care,
In hopes that the season soon would be there.
The rookies were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of the Big League danced in their heads.
And Nuke in his garter, and Crash in his cap,
Had just been rewound before the players' nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
Cy Young was the pitcher, and Babe Ruth was the batter.
Away to the window the players all flew,
To see the ghosts on the evening dew.
Shoeless Joe was in left on that moonlit night,
Who was on second, oh wait, that's not right.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
Mighty Casey with a bat drawing near.
"Now Mickey! now, Willie! Now, Hammerin' Hank!
On, Harmon! On, Reggie! on, Maris and Frank!
To the top of the leader boards! to the top of the Hall!
Show the young rookies how to play ball!"
They all admire the slugger named Roy
As he steps to the plate with his bat, Wonderboy.
They'll pass him on the street, a tip of the hat they will give,
'There goes the greatest player that ever lived."
The rookies' eyes will twinkle in their first at-bat.
The veterans will calm them and give them a pat.
For it is only spring training with so much to do,
Preparation for a season, a career to pursue.
The young ones will play their best through the spring,
With hopes of making the 40-man team.
They'll play their careers 'til they finally say,
"Tell them I'm through for love of the game."
Tomorrow, baby!
0 recs | 40 comments
"Who was on second, oh wait, that's not right."
Haha classic. Definitely the best line in there…. yay baseball season!
Gage23 - February 13, 2009
Thank Pujols that this joke can be put to rest. Sometimes. He’s really a shortstop, but he covers second!
royhobbs - February 13, 2009
Good one. Too bad he’s a jerk.
cbwilk - February 13, 2009
Is he? To take a page out of your book, I saw him in both Los Angeles, and one time I went to Vegas and saw him for the Las Vegas 51s. Both times, he was very friendly to kids, and seemed like a nice guy.
royhobbs - February 13, 2009
Maybe I caught him on a bad day…twice. Total dick then. Maybe it’s a home road thing, some guys are like that.
cbwilk - February 13, 2009
Rotoauthority put up a list of players that fall into the Spring Training cliches, such as lost weight, new and improved, and my favorite: “best shape of my life”. They’ve got McCann and Boyer in the weight loss category.
http://www.rotoauthority.com/2009/02/spring-training.html
At any rate, its almost here!
10-4 - February 13, 2009
Starting next Friday on MLB Network they’re doing 30 Team in 30 Days. Not sure when the Bravos are, but thought I would bring it up to the community.
Smoltz's Beard - February 13, 2009
The one thing makes me made about that channel is that it doesn’t list the shows on the Comcast Cable menu, it just lists blocks of time as “MLB Network,” it makes it difficult to set the DVR.
mvandonsel - February 13, 2009
YEAH BABY!
Love me some baseball! Things I’m looking forward too (no particular order)
1. See the new pitching staff (I’ll be praying for everyone’s health of course!)
2. See if Frenchy can turn it around. I’m usually pessimistic, but I really want to see Frenchy to succeed, but he really needs to get his head out of his ass and stop thinking the world owes him everything.
3. Boston series. I really hope Smoltz pitches and goes up against Hanson (I know it’s not going to happen, but i can dream!).
4. The continued development of prospects. It would be nice to see some young guys win some spots right out of the gate like Schafer winning the CF job. (I still like Brandon Jones/Matt Diaz in LF even though most people don’t like it). Even if that doesn’t happen, hopefully later in the year we’ll see Schafer and Hanson get called up.
5. Going to some Braves games!
I don’t know about the rest of you, but there is certainly a lot to look forward to this year. This was just a top 5 things I’m most excited about, but there are certainly a lot more.
The Braves won’t make the playoffs, and I’m fine with that. I just want the team to find a groove and just get better as the year progresses.
Sparhawk - February 13, 2009
I do not think that we should count the Braves out of the playoffs yet!
mvandonsel - February 13, 2009
On a somewhat unrelated note...
Happy Birthday to me!
Only doing this because it’s a “milestone” one. I don’t really care about that crap, but hey, I had to have an excuse to call attention to myself, right?! I really enjoy being here and scrapping with you guys and gals – and I wish I could plan a birthday party at a future game with a suite and all, and have as many of you (that I like :)) come to it and join in, but finances make it unfeasible. But who knows what the future holds. Anyhow, since I haven’t been able to get a pic of me with my fav
BraveSox yet, this pitcher will have to do (yum) (hm, just noticed the 599.99 sign; I think he got a better deal than that :))…but check out who’s still on the BAT van…oh, and the pic I got Gonzo to sign (taken on TC meet-up day 08) – he laughed. Ok, thanks for tolerating me.Lizziebeth - February 13, 2009
Happy B-Day. I’m also in the February club.
Sweet pic of FYF on the car.
Smoltz's Beard - February 13, 2009
SUCK ONE. BIG JOE
Swo12bv - February 13, 2009
+1
mvandonsel - February 13, 2009
Happy Brithday!
All Academy Sports must be set up the same, because i went to the Caravan in Athens, and they set up in front of the treadmills. They also had Braves merchandise right up front for the first time ever, its usually stuffed away in a corner. Was Foxpsorts interviewing people for commercials at the one you went to? Me and friend did it, and i’ve already seen myself on tv.
10-4 - February 13, 2009
Just the local media at this one. You pegged the setup!
Lizziebeth - February 13, 2009
happy birthday… and in case u didn’t notice… there’s a present in front of your face
Swo12bv - February 13, 2009
Agh!
Do you think he noticed?
Lizziebeth - February 13, 2009
Damn girl, work that sweater!
cbwilk - February 13, 2009
I was going to say
that sure is a nice looking set of … keys.
scstrato - February 13, 2009
I love you both ;P
Lizziebeth - February 13, 2009
Happy B-Day/V-Day
I feel sorry for your significant other though, Birthday and Valentines on back to back days is hard on a guy.
scstrato - February 13, 2009
No joke!
Roses alone are worth the cost of Jo-Jo Reyes’ salary this time of year. But twice? Happy birthday, regardless.
royhobbs - February 13, 2009
Ha ha! Unfortunately your sympathy is going unused...
no current S.O. Will take applications, tho – might even settle for a boytoy or two :D
Thanks for all the bday wishes! Since there’s no baseball, going to go see the Chinese Terra Cotta soldier exhibit at the High Museum.
rh, used to be a guy on Cheshire Br. Rd. selling roses with a sign – “Get Some Tonight”.
Hil-a-rious – the guy made a killing.
Lizziebeth - February 13, 2009
Where does one pick up an application?? Is there like a website or something??
mvandonsel - February 13, 2009
Happy BDay!
RainDelay - February 13, 2009
Happy Birthday...
….from another of the gals! I have one of those “milestones” coming up in three weeks, but I bet it’s not the same one as yours (unfortunately for me).
sddbaker - February 13, 2009
Happy Birthday!
Sadly I don’t have a witty comment…sorry. If one comes to me later, I’ll post again. :)
VegasAces - February 13, 2009
What if Mike cost 599.99…I would buy him to clean my apartment and throw things
bwellnjonesco - February 13, 2009
Happy Birthday!!!
mvandonsel - February 13, 2009
And happy birthday from me as well! Can’t wait for the season to start so you and I can start posting pictures. You got a new camera yet? Maybe get that for your big day…….
secondbass - February 13, 2009
Oh I wish (on the camera), and I CANNOT wait for the picture taking and posting to commence as well!
Lizziebeth - February 13, 2009
Hope you have a great birthday! And while you’re at it, rub off a little luck on our favorite closer!
Bmacbandwagon - February 13, 2009
ohhhuuhhh, rub gonzo? sigh…
Lizziebeth - February 13, 2009
Happy BDAY to my TC drinking buddy that I don’t think drank last season.
bigjoe - February 13, 2009
oh crap, I just realized I’ve been sober longer than you’ve been legally able to drink. fuck!
Lizziebeth - February 13, 2009
bigjoe
We all know that you drank enough for the both of ya!!!
mvandonsel - February 13, 2009
At the park, no…uh, at home watching the games…yeeeeeeeeeeah
bigjoe - February 14, 2009
Forgot I had these; finally got to meet the man in ST last year. Happy belated birth day.
cbwilk - February 16, 2009
I loves - and envy - you. Thank you!
Lizziebeth - February 17, 2009
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