baseball

Please Stop Insulting Our Intelligence

I’ve stayed away from writing about the whole Albert Pujols situation, partly because it makes me so angry, and partly because I didn’t think it deserved any more attention.

But, I’ve gotten angrier, and writing is cathartic, so…

It would be really nice if Albert, and his wife Deidre, would stop insulting the Cardinals fans’ intelligence. If I hear “It wasn’t about the money,” one more time, I may scream. Of course it was about the money…it’s always about the money. At least Lance Berkman was honest enough to own up to that fact earlier this year. But Albert, the man who two years ago claimed that he wanted to stay in St. Louis forever, and didn’t need an extra three or four million a year somewhere else because he’d already made his money? He wants us to keep believing that the reason he left St. Louis for Los Angeles was for some nobler purpose, some idealistic reason having to do with commitment, and not money at all?

Please.

Yes, the Cardinals most recent offer was for “only” five years. Perfectly reasonable, if you ask me, given Pujols’s (reported) age. But lets not forget that prior to that, there had been a 10-year deal, with the added incentive of having some sort of stake in the team, some kind of front-office job, and a lasting legacy here in St. Louis. He was set to become the next “Stan the Man” here in town; he almost certainly would have had a statue outside the first base gate someday, as a testament to his time and success here. The fans loved him, even when his performance slumped, and would have continued to love him, even as age started to take its toll, as it certainly would have. That’s the kind of town St. Louis is; that’s the kind of fans the Cardinals have. That’s why they call this “baseball heaven.”

But we weren’t committed to him. Right.

I’m with columnist Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He tried to be sensible about this unpleasant situation, and not cast blame. But, like many Cardinals fans, myself included, all he had to hear was Albert’s very insulting press conference with the Angels to get his ire up. When your town’s (former) hero turns on you, and openly states that the team, the organization, and by extension, the city, weren’t committed to him, you can’t help but get mad, and call a spade a spade. In the end, Bernie was spot on with his first reaction to this whole mess:

I’ve mentioned this before, and will talk about it again: the sentimental side of me wanted Pujols to remain with the Cardinals for his entire career. I know better, but I still suffer from the disease of naiveté. Baseball does this to a lot of people, me included. Makes us all sappy and romantic. You want the hero to stay and complete the storybook. But it doesn’t work that way in modern sports. Not very often, anyway. 

That about sums it up–we baseball fans are a bunch of romantics at heart, and even though common sense says otherwise, we want to believe that we’ll get our happy ending–all of us, players and fans alike. After all, “faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to,”* right? So, our initial reaction of shock and dismay, was honest and real, even though we may have tried to justify it after the fact. And our anger and disgust are equally justified, especially after hearing our support criticized.

It’s all about the money, Albert. It always has been, and always will be. Stop deluding yourself, and stop insulting the people of St. Louis. We know where your loyalties lie, now more than ever.

 

*With thanks to George Seaton, and by extension, Fred Gailey in Miracle on 34th Street, for summarizing faith so well.

Quote of the Day

“So I guess in the end, Anaheim traded the Rams to St. Louis for a baseball icon to be named later.” Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Albert Pujols’ departure from the Cardinals

Bittersweet

The end of the baseball season, even an amazing season like the one the Cardinals had, is bittersweet. There were so many great moments this year–victories, comebacks, and great plays. So many great players–Cards vets like Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina, other vets new to the Cards organization like Lance Berkman and Rafael Furcal, young players just getting started like Danny Descalso and October hero David Freese. And so many weird, memorable incidents–mainly, the Rally Squirrel and the presence of Torty Craig on Twitter and in conversations.

But, no matter how good next season may be, (12 in ’12, anyone?), it will never be the same. This exact team will never again play together, because like it or not, some players will no longer be part of the Cardinals organization next year. While there may be new weird moments, the things that happened this year that made this season so special will fade away. And the comebacks that we experienced this year, from being 10 1/2 games out in August, to the improbable wins versus the Phillies and the Brewers, and especially the multiple comebacks in game six of the World Series will likely never happen again, and should never happen again–those were once in a lifetime moments.

So, the championship victory was amazing. The celebration has been fun. The new heroes born in October in St. Louis will never be forgotten. But just like New Year’s Eve, you look back and realize that while things in the future may be just as good, they will never be the same, and you look forward knowing that you’re looking a different kind of experience, that will provide new, amazing opportunities, but will never again be a match for the things that have gone before.

Quote of the Day

This is how I’m feeling after the amazing end to the Cardinals baseball season:

“People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” Rogers Hornsby

The Rally Squirrel

Every time I see this video, it makes me laugh. Especially the slow-motion part. There’s just something about watching a squirrel run at an astonishingly slow rate that’s very amusing!

Baseball Summer

2011 was the “Summer of Baseball” in the Markel household. Never in my life have I been to so many Major League Baseball games in one summer, not to mention all of Turkey’s games, and the one Gateway Grizzlies game we went to. To chronicle this “Baseball Summer,” here are pictures with views from all of the different seats we had!

The first game we went to was “Kids Opening Day” on Saturday, April 2, which occurred two days after actual Opening Day. The seats were just OK, but the tickets were cheap, and each of the children received a Matt Holliday baseball bat, and a voucher for a free ticket to a future game. Too bad the Cardinals lost.

Busch Stadium, Left Field Pavilion–Section 368, Row 6

Mother’s Day weekend, Saturday, May 7, was our second game of the year. Other than the Commissioner’s Box, these were my favorite seats we had. They were directly to the left of the press box, so naturally, the view was amazing, and even though we were up pretty high, it didn’t feel like it. (The only thing that would have made the game more enjoyable would have been the Cardinals actually beating the Brewers.) It was also free hat day for the adults–I ended up stealing Ryan’s hat because I liked it better than the women’s version!

Busch Stadium, Infield Terrace–Section 453, Row 1

The year’s third game was “Social Media Night” on Tuesday, May 17. This was our “Anniversary Eve” celebration, and one of two games that Ryan and I went to sans children, but we really went because I wanted to get the free “Tweet Me in St. Louis” t-shirts that were part of our tickets. The seats were pretty close to the field, but way out in left field…not a section I had been in before. It was kind of a strange place to watch a game from, because it felt like the seats were oriented the wrong direction, but the game itself was amazing–very exciting, and the Cardinals won right at the end!

Busch Stadium, Lower Left Field Box–Section 169, Row 16

Although it wasn’t a game, going on a Busch Stadium tour with Ryan the following afternoon also counts as part of “Baseball Summer.” We got to go in some exclusive areas of the ballpark, including the Cardinals dugout, the press box, and the Cardinals Club. We even saw some of the Astros players as they were on their way to the visitors’ clubhouse, (they were very polite), and some Cardinals warming up, jogging around the warning track.

The field, as seen from Mike Shannon’s point-of-view in the press box!

The most amazing seats of the season were in the Commissioner’s Box for our tenth wedding anniversary on Wednesday, May 18. An incredible experience, with a great view of the field, (and the Cards dugout). And the Redbirds were kind enough to win the game for us!

Busch Stadium, Commissioner’s Box–Row C

We went to our first Gateway Grizzlies game for “Honor Roll Night,” on Monday, June 13, to celebrate Moose’s achievements in school, (we were supposed to go back for a second game later in the season, but it was unbearably hot…maybe next year!). The ballpark is so small, I’m pretty sure there are no bad seats, and the ones we were in were certainly no exception. We had a great view of all of the action, from the game itself, to the between-inning antics on the field. The Grizzlies lost, but we didn’t really care since we’re not big Frontier League fans…it was just fun!

GCS Ballpark, Field Reserve Box Seats–Section 119, Row…6, maybe?

Here’s the view from the Upper Field at the park where Turkey played all of his games this summer, (and last year’s T-Ball games, as well). Technically, there were no seats, but this is what it looked like from where we stood and watched half of his games in June and July.

The other half of Turkey’s ball games were played on the Lower Field of the park. I like this field better, if only because it’s situated on more level terrain…the outfield of the Upper Field is completely inexplicable! Even though they don’t technically keep score, I’m happy to report that Turkey’s team had a winning season!

The Wednesday, June 22, Cardinals game was part of Marine Week in St. Louis. Going to this game was a complete spur-of-the-moment decision, and I’m so glad we went! We got to hear the Marine Band play, and saw them present the colors. There was also a Harrier jet flyover and a flag line on the field. We had good seats for this game, and really got to appreciate the shadows on the field as the evening went on! It’s a good thing there was so much to see at the ballpark, though, because it was another loss for the Redbirds!

Busch Stadium, Infield Terrace–Section 447, Row 6

We also had the chance to get seats on Thursday, July 28, in the Redbird Club at Busch Stadium. This was another really fun experience, (and the baby’s first ballgame, albeit in utero!), although the day we were there was so hot, it was hard to enjoy the game. (That, and Lance Berkman was injured and didn’t play.) I don’t think that any of us really even cared that the Cards dropped the game to the Astros because we were so worn out from the heat! I’d love to go back someday when the weather is a little more cooperative, so I can really enjoy it.

Busch Stadium, Infield Redbird Club–Section 244, Row 1

Another first was seeing a game from a party suite at the stadium on Tuesday, August 9, with Ryan’s co-workers. I spent most of the game inside the suite, although there was also outdoor seating. Either way, the view was great, even if the Cards did lose.

Busch Stadium, Party Suite–Section 308

The last game we went to this year was on Sunday, August 14. It was a nice way to bookend our “Baseball Summer”–there was another giveaway for the children, this time “Stan the Man” Build-A-Bears, which have proven to be very popular around here still. We had, unfortunately, what I considered to be the worst seats of the season–we were literally in the last row of seats on the uppermost deck in the outfield. It was still a fun time, though, and the Cards managed to win that one.

Busch Stadium, Right Field Terrace–Section 432, Row 11

So, that was our “Baseball Summer.” We only saw three Cardinal wins, compared to five losses, but we still had a great time! We attended games on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, but no Monday or Friday games for some reason, (baseball always involves statistics, right?). We sat everywhere from practically the front row, (the Commissioner’s Box), to literally the last row. We had tickets to exclusive areas of the Stadium, as well as tickets for the cheap seats. We sat behind home plate, along the first base line, and in the outfield.

I doubt we’ll get to go to so many games in one summer again–things just really worked out perfectly this year. It was great to share baseball with the children this way, and create some great family memories. I’m thankful that baseball here in St. Louis is still fairly affordable for families, (many of the tickets we got were only $5 each, and you can bring food and beverages into the ballpark), so that we could see so many games from so many different areas of the ballpark this year!

Like Little Boys on the Ball Field

With apologies to professional baseball players, who I realize are hard-working men, holding down a demanding job, and often supporting a family, and sometimes even charities, on top of it.

It’s really struck me this year how much baseball players are still like little boys when they’re out on the ball field.

Have you ever really watched them? The way they celebrate a great play or a win is very reminiscent of my son’s parks and rec baseball team–the joyful exuberance they express is completely unabashed. They run at each other and jump on each other, they high-five–they’re professional athletes, but when it’s time to celebrate, they still very much look like little kids, and I love that, because it’s so very obvious how much they love what they’re doing.

Their frustration with themselves after they make a bad play or strike out is also a very emotional reaction to what they’re doing. So is their anger at the ump after a bad call, and their complete dejection after a loss. Just as is the case with young boys playing games, their emotions are always very close to the surface.

Or how about when they’re in the dugout? If you watch closely, there are some very amusing antics that go on in there. Sunflower seed throwing, water dumping, joking around–all very boyish. Yes, they’re paying attention to the game, and ready to go when it’s their turn, but there’s a certain mischievousness going on in there throughout the game…

The superstitions and rituals are reminiscent of younger days, too. Everyone remembers the player in junior high or high school who refused to wash his lucky game socks–Major League Baseball is no different. What the players eat before a game, the socks they wear, the ritual at the plate or on the mound, even the way they greet each other when crossing home plate as they score, are all important to the game. And even the post-game celebrations can be steeped in ritual–I’ve been hearing a lot about the Cardinals cry of “Happy Flight” following a win, lately.

Or one of my favorite baseball oddities–the whole, “If your pitcher hits our guy, our pitcher will hit one of your guys next time,” thing. It’s the kind of retaliation you might expect on a playground full of fifth graders, yet these are adults, doing their jobs, and the retaliation still happens. They have each other’s backs, that’s for sure.

I think what I love most about it all is that, even though they’re paid professionals, there’s still an innocence there. They’re not taking themselves too seriously; they’re not taking the game too seriously. (At least not until the play-offs.) It all boils down to the fact that they’re still boys playing a game they love, a game they’ve played for a long time, and they’re still playing the way they did when they were kids and living their dream.

Quote of the Day

I saw this quote from Lance Berkman, (following Saturday night’s Cards-Phillies playoff game), on NBC Sports’s Hardball Talk. He’s always good for a humorous comment!

“‘They were chanting my name,’ Berkman told reporters, ‘but I don’t know why. My name is on the back of my uniform. So it’s nice to know they can read.’”