Tuesday, February 15, 2011

All is right in the world again!

Just when I thought the polar caps in the Midwest were permanent.  Just when the temps were dipping, instead of sky-rocketing.  And just when I was about to go mano-a-mano with P.Phil in a Texas Chain Saw Match for his irresponsible viewing of his shadow b/s ... hope once again springs eternal!

"Well, what in tarnation's got ya feelin' so giggitee Jimbo?", you ask.   Well, my friends ...

BASEBALL IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Spring Training began this week, and long before I was a runnin' fool, I was a baseball geek! Here's a for instance.  We've got Red Sox tickets while we're in Boston this April, and I am probably more excited about seeing Fenway Park for the first time, than I am about running the marathon!  That's just how I roll!


But if you stack baseball and endurance sports side-by-side, there are a few obvious similarities you probably never thought about (at least for the purpose of this post)...

Players score in baseball by tallying a RUN, but sometimes if you're exhausted in a race, you have to take an INTENTIONAL WALK.    When a runner hustles down the line and is safe on a close play at first base, they say "He legged one out!"   And when chasing down long fly-balls, outfielders often HIT THE WALL.   Lou Gehrig and Cal Ripken Jr. are both know as "Ironman".   Not to mention peanuts & Crackerjacks are great protein & carb race fuel.  And the 162 game baseball season is a MARATHON, not a sprint. (but unfortunately my Kansas City Royals would suck at a marathon too.)

See, they fit each other like a glove!  No?  Okay, so they're not that much alike at all.  (Not one of my better efforts, I know) I thought this would be a really good idea for a post.  But when I read them to Michael over the phone last night, first there were crickets ... and then "Umm ... you're no David Letterman."  Thanks hun.

But not even the critical editing eye of my lovely wife can cast gloom on my renewed spirit!  In fact to honor our National Pastime, I might run this weekend's race with a protective cup & catcher's mask.  Because baseball is back my good men and women, and once again ... all is right in the world!
... be great today!
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24 comments:

  1. LeeFebruary 15, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    Now if you were Canadian, you would have posted this in the fall and it would have been about hockey!

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  2. Jim ... 50after40February 15, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    Lee ... ha, I love hockey too, but probably not as much as ya'll!

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  3. ChristiFebruary 15, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    I am not much of a baseball fan but probably because I am a KC Royals fan!

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  4. Georgia SnailFebruary 15, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    Spring hopes eternal...you're Royals & my Mets are undefeated...all is well when pitchers & catchers report!

    Congrats on nabbing tickets to Fenway BTW....

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  5. KovasPFebruary 15, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    Nice attempt at trying to make a connection, but I doubt if most baseball players could run much more than trotting around the bases. :)

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  6. HeatherFebruary 15, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    Now if only I could go to Florida every year for spring training . . .

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  7. misszippyFebruary 15, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    Now that's a true fan! I hope Fenway lives up to your dreams!

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  8. JasonFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    I love baseball too. I was with baseball my whole life until recently but still follow with the passion of a 10 year old.

    I like you have the same feelings regarding my team (NY Mets) and that whether it be a 5k, 10k, 1/2 mary, mary they would DNF all of them. Just an ugly team up there and so I am thankful to be able to watch the TX Rangers now.

    You will love Fenway. I went to a game in September when they played the Royals and neither team was going to the playoffs but the place was packed and everybody was going nuts. Tons of fun.

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  9. One Crazy PenguinFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    Now running in a full catchers uni would be *impressive*!

    I am with you though...bring on baseball season! So excited!

    PS - Go cards! :p

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  10. NellyFebruary 15, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    haha great post! Have fun at Fenway Park, that place is my favorite baseball park I've been to. It is so tiny in person compared to how you think it might look. And you are hearty that you are a Royals fan, they have had some tough times recently - Zack Greinke was awesome though =)

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  11. RainaFebruary 15, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    I am SO ready for spring too!! This 40F rain is just driving me nuts. Wait...that is what we have in the spring too....OK so no snow here, but we do get wet 9 months a year.

    I love late summer & fall, the dry season. Bring it on.

    Saw you are doing Boston as well! Yay!!

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  12. RainaFebruary 15, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    Oh, and if you DO wear the cup for the race....please be sure to post about it. LOL

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  13. KatieFebruary 15, 2011 at 3:58 PM

    ahhah love that little blue paragraph! I'm a huge Met's fan, unfortunately they always disappoint :/

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  14. Jess @ Blonde PonytailFebruary 15, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    Yes! a fellow baseball fan! I like the comparison of running to baseball-don't forget your chest protector!

    Thanks for visiting my blog! I am a new follower of yours!

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  15. PahlaFebruary 15, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    I'm pretty sure you won't be happy wearing the mask and cup - can you imagine the chafing??? Funny post, David Letterman's got nothing on Jimbo!

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  16. RaegunFebruary 15, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    Go Jays!

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  17. tahoegirlFebruary 15, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    Ah, yes!!! Spring is near. I was counting down the days to spring training. Yippie.

    Baseball is indeed back. GO TIGERS! I love me some baseball. I could watch it all day.

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  18. TeamarciaFebruary 15, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    I too love baseball and would be up for spring training in a warmer climate!

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  19. MichaelFebruary 15, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Has anyone ever told you that you are the best husband in the world? Love ya sweets!

    Your post turned out a little better on "paper" than it did on the phone!

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  20. Happy Feet 26.2February 15, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    Just wanted to stop by to say good luck this weekend. Also, wanted to say thanks. I used your blog mantra....be great today at the half in New Orleans last Sunday. It really helped me through the race. I kept telling myself, "the weather is great, I really have NO reason, NOT "to be Great Today." (and I was great in my own slowish way) Thanks!

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  21. Chris KFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:25 PM

    Fenway's on my Bucket List. Dude, you better BQ again so we can go next year together.

    I am a huge Padres fan. I know their Asst G.M. and my ask to interview him for my Blog. Seems only you would enjoy it, but oh well.

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  22. ajhFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:56 AM

    You have made a couple of nice comments to me about teachers and I really appreciate it. I would always appreciate it but the timing couldn't be better. We had some really nasty stuff going on in the community I teach in and very hurtful things have been said about teachers. (We almost went on strike but did not.) It was hard not to take them personally and they really hurt. When people whose kids you have taught say the teachers should just walk out the door and they'll hire all new ones it is painful. The kids are what kept me going through it. Of course there are some very supportive parents but the vocal ones are not. Most of the public does not have a clue how much time we put in (oh yeah they all think we have the best hours going) and how hard our job is. I don't think most people could do it. If you don't have good discipline all is lost. Sorry for the ranting. Just wanted to say thanks!

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  23. Jim ... 50after40February 16, 2011 at 6:13 AM

    Thank you so much for all of the kind words everyone!

    Kovas ... I was a baseball player for years, and trot was about all I did

    Pengi ... yeah, the shin-guards would be kinda clanky

    Small Town & P ... yeah, I've decided the cup is a bad idea

    Michael ... love you baby

    Happy ... tomorrow's post has a shout out for you

    Ajh ... teachers are society's unsung heros

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  24. The SeanFebruary 22, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    I'll be at Fenway on the 17th during my marathon trip!! Should have a good club this year.

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