Confessions of a Sports Addict: I Love
Baseball
Amanda Weatherford, ad & graphic designer
As I watched the football
season come to a close and the Pittsburgh Steelers lay a hurting on the
Seattle Seahawks, only one question jumped to mind in the middle of a
peaceful nap: How long until baseball season?
The
answer? Spring Training games kick off on April 2. Can I get a woo hoo?! Or,
rather, a WAHOO! As an Indians’ fan, I watched my team lose, lose and lose
again over the past few seasons. Last season was that “typical rebuilding
year” that all teams claim to experience when they chunk their best players,
*cough*Omar Vizquel*cough*, and still think that they can win games.
So
they won a few more than I had expected, but no one could dislodge the upset
feelings. I mean, honestly, I played softball in high school because of
Vizquel. I was number 13 on the team because of Vizquel. He was my hero…IS
my hero. I even have a poster of the guy turning a double play up on my
wall. (Actually, it would be my closet, but who’s really counting?)
Vizquel earned All-Star honors three years. He’s 15th on the team
all-time RBI list, sixth in total plate appearances, sixth in runs scored,
seventh in hits and eighth in doubles. Vizquel was second in stolen bases
for the Indians, exceeded only by ex-centerfielder Kenny Lofton. He only
committed 100 errors in 1,474 games as an Indian and ranked third in double
plays for the team with 945. Last but not least, the guy has – count them –
NINE consecutive Gold Glove awards with the Indians, and won a 10th
in 2005 with the San Francisco Giants, even after two knee surgeries.
So tell me, why would anyone want to trade him?
Never
mind. No one answer that question. It might just make me want to cry.
Somewhere among all of my incoherent ramblings, I meant to say that I wish
baseball season would start soon. I’m getting tired of all of the waiting
around and doing nothing. I suppose I could watch basketball, but I never
really have kept up with the sport. I tried playing in sixth grade but…eh,
not a pretty sight.
So,
where was I? Oh. For any of you who have been watching the baseball
transactions, the Indians re-signed one of their ex-catchers, Einar Diaz
(who still holds some high team rankings, by the way), as well as one of
their ex-pitchers, Steve Karsay (does a happy dance). That’s the end of my
happy moment.
The
Indians drew up a trade last month that made me a little less than excited
about this next season. They acquired pitcher Guillermo Mota, third baseman
Andy Marte (one we actually needed), youngster catcher Kelly Shoppach, cash,
and a choice of one other player or more money. Hmm. Who did we lose? Some
of you may recognize the name Josh Bard. He was the Texas Tech catcher for
years before he made it to the majors as
Cleveland’s
star backstop. Let me gripe about this one for a moment, if I might. (Bard
hasn’t been completely healthy, but did they really have to include
him?) The Tribe traded their troublemaking outfielder, Coco Crisp, Bard, and
pitcher David Riske. Now I wasn’t really a fan of Riske…ever…but come on! TO
BOSTON?
Might I insert here that I have an immense dislike for the Red Sox
and the Yankees?
Can
baseball please have a decent, drug-free season this time around? I
have about had it with the “Did he? Or didn’t he?” questions flying around
the teams. I personally don’t care whether or not someone is taking
steroids. Why can’t we just have a little blip on the screen when someone
has been suspended or fined for drugs like there was years ago? Let’s focus
on the game, the fans and the players who are simply in the Majors to PLAY,
not for a paycheck.
It
sounds like a great idea to me. I love baseball for the sport, not for all
of the corporate hype that has done it up in recent years. Baseball should
be baseball forever. Period. No more of the “Derek Jeter is the best short
stop in baseball!” because he IS NOT. Go check the stats. Omar would kick
his tail any day. No more of this, no more of that and maybe baseball
would be baseball again.
I can
dream, right?
