Today I am thankful for Baseball. I considered winding up this 30 day challenge with thanks for a more soulful topic, but Baseball is a most soulful activity. I considered addressing lifelong learning, two of many words I try to live by, but I relate lifelong learning and life to Baseball. Today I am thankful for Baseball. I wasn’t ever a Baseball Player. I don’t own stakes in a Baseball Team (though that would be pretty cool), yet I don’t remember a time when Baseball wasn’t part of my life.
I learned a lot about Baseball from my Grandfather, who interestingly was blind. Many summer hours were spent on his Humboldt County patio listening to Lon Simmons call the Giants games. Those moments of shelling peanuts, cleaning smoked fish, and sneaking a sip of Grandpa’s Hamm’s Beer, oftentimes as the Humboldt Fog began to roll in are treasures of my heart. I’m thankful to Baseball for those memories.
One of my earliest memories in life is sitting in the kitchen with my Dad and yet another transistor radio. Dad taught me a lot of the technicalities of Baseball. He also taught me how to figure batting averages, on base percentages, and how to keep score. These lessons with him are probably why I love Math, and scorebooks. Dad also taught me how to yell rude comments at umpires and opposing players. I don’t bellow out “pitchers got a rubber nose” very often, but I’m glad I know how to when it’s needed. I also know that if another man offers a certain first baseman a fictional picture of his wife or girlfriend, said first baseman will become flustered, and then giggle like a little girl. My Dad had that affect on a lot of people. Baseball gave me time with my Dad. I’m thankful for that.
Raising boys, we spent a lot of time at little league fields. Our boys did homework on bleachers while watching the games of their brother and friends. For a couple months each year family dinners consisted of chili pies and hot dogs prepared at snack bars lovingly run by Moms and Dads to whom I am forever grateful. Youth Baseball helped teach our sons not only about the game, but about adjusting their priorities, being responsible, and taking care of your friends. I’m thankful for the help in teaching those important life lessons.
As an aging child, Baseball has been and continues to be part of my life. Just the last decade has provided countless treasured moments. The Red Sox curse breaking 2004 year could leave only true haters and Yankee fans without a warm feeling somewhere. I am blessed to occupy the seats that belonged to my Dad at AT&T. I can feel him at every game I attend. Giants fans kept the faith through the lean years and were rewarded with moments correctly described as magic. I was lucky to see the Bonds record-breaking hits and saddened by the ensuing controversy. Joe and I helped hold the American flag on the field at the 2007 All-Star Game. I like to think I’m pretty good at forgiveness, but the lesson was learned anew when I began to love Barry Zito. Being at the park with my sons when Pablo hit 3 out on October 24th of this year will carry me through at least until pitchers and catchers report in February. OK, I lie, it’ll stick with me forever.
We’ve shared games and surrounding times with parents, siblings, offspring, and friends. Each one is registered in my own record book of good times. Each one is eligible for my personal Hall of Fame. I’m thankful for every moment. I’m thankful for Baseball.
