Friday, March 14, 2008

The Boys of Summer

I blame the Presidential campaign. Every four years – tractor beam, sucks me right in. I love the horse race.

Or, perhaps I can pin it on William & Mary’s extremely unexpected basketball season and altogether unprecedented run through the CAA tournament. A great deal of time and energy went towards my futile fandom, distracting me completely from any number of otherwise worthwhile pursuits.

I’ve been busy at work. I’ve been dealing with a minor yet aggravating health issue. I refinanced my house. My youngest daughter refuses to potty train. The writer’s strike ended and I had television to watch.

Well. That’s quite a list, compiled in an attempt to explain why I’ve never been less prepared for the beginning of baseball season. I have a superficial idea regarding the happenings in Fort Myers. I’m generally aware of Beckett’s back spasms, Coco’s disenchantment, Papelbon’s contract, Schilling’s shoulder, Lugo’s injury, and yesterday, Mirabelli’s release. I’m pleased that Bartolo Colon is reaching 94 on the JUGS gun, and that Dustin Pedroia remains irrepressibly cocky. I hear Manny’s in terrific shape, Papi’s knees feel much better, and J.D. Drew’s put his mediocre 2007 behind him. And I know that the Sox open regular season play in Japan in 11 short days.

But I’m not ready. Not by a longshot. I need to hunker down with some Roger Angell and David Halberstam, to commune with the Baseball Poets, watch 2007 World Series highlights and get into a proper frame of mind. I owe that to you, our faithful reader.

I eagerly await my colleagues’ excuses.

11 comments:

I.M. Forme said...

Yeah it's kind of sad, the more writers you add, the less production you get. Not the first time a phils or yanks fan has been accused of being dead weight. The Phillies go-to strategy--just wait until the Mets guy hands you the victory--doesn't cut it in the tough world of webs.

I bring the snark. Yeah I bring it.

rob said...

while i agree with the sentiment, we've never had this many posts by March 16 before. so, y'know, huzzah.

Whitney said...

If you've hung around MLC for all four seasons before, you know full well I take the winter off. Idle speculation and meaningless, far-off forecasting don't suit me well. You know, until the season begins, then I'm all over it.

Nick said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nick said...

I believe I warned our generous founders that I would not be prolific in any sense. I'd say I am in the same frame of mind as Whitney when it comes to off season postulating. In 3 weeks time I will be lamenting getting swept at home by the Nats.

As for the Phillies "go to strategy," I think you are a bit generous. There is no strategy, only claims of prudence in the face of the harsh economic reality. To listen to Dave Montgomery's company line, the Phillies do not enjoy the obscene local cable revenue that Boston does, hence the refusal to engage in real bidding wars for free agent talent. I'm not buying it.

I.M. Forme said...

Omar already has his calendar marked:
"Thanksgiving with the Howard Family, 2011."

muhuhuhahahahaaa!

T.J. said...

I've been in and out of consciousness for about two weeks now, losing money from coast to coast, so you'll need to give me right up to first pitch on March 30th...plus, there's this college basketball thing going on right now that has my attention.

Nick said...

If that comes to pass, then I hope Ryan Howard comes to remind you of Mo Vaughn.

Whitney said...

Seeing TJ and Nick both post comments at MLC during the afternoon on March 17 makes me feel like less of a no-show at the Dubliner.

Nick said...

It was a surreal day for me. My first sober St. Paddy's in decades. Our beloved holiday unfortunately fell during Holy Week this year and since I am Catholic (and not Irish at all), I could not, in good conscience, come up with a reason to open the Dubliner.

Fortunately, this schedule snafu will never happen again unless I live to 190.

Whitney said...

May you kick the bucket at the ripe old age of 189.