By Bill Burns

And again it is time…
and you know it.
Without looking at the calendar
you know it’s the time
because you can smell it in the air
and feel it on your neck and back.
You hear the rising voices of the young
as they begin again
to toss the ball around.
So…
you get ready one more time
for that first trip to the park
to see the boys play the game
again.

It’s baseball.

BASEBALL…

Not more than life,
but pretty damn close.
Something you can love
eat
breathe
taste
& hold onto…
a language all its own
that you can share with friends,
your wife,
your children,
strangers even.

And so you must go
once again
to feel it and hold onto it,
to savor and be hurt by it…
to jump for joy and cry in deep despair…
to make it a part of you
before it’s gone…
or you are.

Carrie Muskat has a short interview with Ryan Dempster over on her blog.  Dempster addresses Milton Bradley’s recent statements about the Cubs.  Here is what I wrote about the situation on Muskat’s site:

I cannot speak for other Cubs fans, but personally I gave Milton Bradley the benefit of the doubt when he came to Chicago, and even when he struggled early in the season. I really wanted the man to succeed. It would have been a wonderful story for him to have finally grown up and really contributed to the Cubs. Seriously, who would not have liked that outcome? People can change, and for him to have found a home in Chicago would have been a point of pride for him and the Cubs. But that isn’t what happened, and for me its obvious that its almost entirely Bradley’s fault.

I continued on comparing Bradley to Dempster, who struggled a few years back for the Cubs but handled it in a very different way:

Compare and contrast this with Dempster three years ago. He wasn’t a good closer. I wasn’t happy with the man at all. But I never, ever felt like he wasn’t trying. I never felt about him the way I felt about Bradley mid-season last year, even before Bradley started shooting off his mouth about the fans. Dempster’s talent and character have obviously shined through. He endured a tough situation and came through for the Cubs, for the fans, and for himself. Milton Bradley should study Ryan Dempster. This is the type of player Bradley should try to be.

In 1987 Andre Dawson was trying to find a new home after several years playing for the Expos.  He was focused squarely on the Chicago Cubs.  The Cubs, however, thought they had an outfielder and did not care to sign Dawson.  Dawson gave them a blank contract.  The general manager of the Cubs gave him a $500k contract (which was actually pretty good money in those days).  He also wrote a bonus stipulation into the contract.  Dawson would earn another $250k if he made the All-Star Team, Started for the All-Star Team, and if he got the MVP.  He did all three.

Think of the players today that could do that for a bonus today.   There aren’t many, and they are all headed for the Hall of Fame, as is Andre Dawson.

The Hawk was a true 5-tool player.  Just look at the numbers he put up:

Average: .279
Hits: 2774
Home Runs: 438
RBIs: 1591
Stolen Bases: 314
Gold Gloves: 8
All-Star Games: 8
Rookie of the Year (1977), Most Valuable Player (1987)

Just in case you were wondering, that is what Hall of Fame stats look like.

He may have been known as the Cardinals announcer, but he speaks for all baseball fans here:

365, by Jack Buck (from Baseball-Almanac.com)

When someone asks you your favorite sport
And you answer Baseball in a blink
There are certain qualities you must possess
And you’re more attached than you think.
In the frozen grip of winter
I’m sure you’ll agree with me
Not a day goes by without someone
Talking baseball to some degree.
The calendar flips on New Year’s Day
The Super Bowl comes and it goes
Get the other sports out of the way
The green grass and the fever grows.
It’s time to pack a bag and take a trip
To Arizona or the Sunshine State
Perhaps you can’t go, but there’s the radio
So you listen-you root-you wait.
They start the campaign, pomp and pageantry reign
You claim the pennant on Opening Day

From April till fall
You follow the bouncing white ball
Your team is set to go all the way.
They fall short of the series
You have a case of the “wearies”
And need as break from the game
But when Christmas bells jingle
You feel that old tingle
And you’re ready for more of the same.
It will be hot dogs for dinner
Six months of heaven, a winner
Yes, Baseball has always been it.
You would amaze all your friends
If they knew to what ends
You’d go for a little old hit.
The best times you’re had
Have been with your Mom and your Dad
And a bat and a ball and a glove.

From the first time you played
Till the last time you prayed
It’s been a simple matter of love.