[Phogge]

I’m sorry that you stopped being a fan BC. I worked with a great guy for decades who was a retired world famous athlete in a sport tainted by steroid abuse. In airplanes, in vans, on safari we often talked about the pros and cons of training. Through these conversations it was easy, given our usual access to athletes, to spot some of the cheaters. There was no bigger clue than the “Canseco Twitch.”

From the time that I picked up a tennis ball at age 4 and flung it at our Sunset District marble steps I have loved baseball. Played with and against future major leaguers in college and high level semi-pro winter ball. The cheaters bugged me and still do but it never interfered with enjoying the Game. For the first time in many years I had a summer where I could watch a lot of games and in some ways it was my salvation from worrying about Covid. I wasn’t expecting much but was rewarded with a Giants club that scratched and clawed to a finish that was unexpected given the lack of talent, especially on the mound.

So BC, watch a few games this year and forget about the individuals. Get absorbed in the count, pitch location, how the catcher sets up, etc. The game is more important than the players. As Lex would point out it’s not the same game we learned to play. Not much stealing, hardly any “moving the runner over” and virtually no hit and run. Alas.

I hope you can again enjoy it the way I do. TV baseball and golf lend itself to the mid game 10 minute power nap. Give it a chance, it’s still the best thing we have.

BTW, I enjoy your participation in the trivia. Thanks!

[Phogge]

I’m sorry that you stopped being a fan BC. I worked with a great guy for decades who was a retired world famous athlete in a sport tainted by steroid abuse. In airplanes, in vans, on safari we often talked about the pros and cons of training. Through these conversations it was easy, given our usual access to athletes, to spot some of the cheaters. There was no bigger clue than the “Canseco Twitch.”

From the time that I picked up a tennis ball at age 4 and flung it at our Sunset District marble steps I have loved baseball. Played with and against future major leaguers in college and high level semi-pro winter ball. The cheaters bugged me and still do but it never interfered with enjoying the Game. For the first time in many years I had a summer where I could watch a lot of games and in some ways it was my salvation from worrying about Covid. I wasn’t expecting much but was rewarded with a Giants club that scratched and clawed to a finish that was unexpected given the lack of talent, especially on the mound.

So BC, watch a few games this year and forget about the individuals. Get absorbed in the count, pitch location, how the catcher sets up, etc. The game is more important than the players. As Lex would point out it’s not the same game we learned to play. Not much stealing, hardly any “moving the runner over” and virtually no hit and run. Alas.

I hope you can again enjoy it the way I do. TV baseball and golf lend itself to the mid game 10 minute power nap. Give it a chance, it’s still the best thing we have.

BTW, I enjoy your participation in the trivia. Thanks!