I don’t just like the idea of baseball.
I like the smell of it. I like the crack of the wood bat or the ping of the aluminum bat. I like teaching a kid how to lead with his hips as he swings. I like a sore arm and shoulder from throwing 20 too many fastballs the night before at practice. I like calling pitches for my son. I like seeing a kid that can’t catch still hustle to the fence, hit his cutoff man, and stop the double from being a triple. I love hot dogs at the stadium. I like seeing the #9 batter get his first hit of the season. I like seeing a kid lay down a bunt. Shoot, I just like seeing a kid look down to third and SEE the bunt sign. I like seeing the two teams line up after the game and shake hands, remembering that there are more important things than who won.
I like almost everything about baseball.
Except the Yankees.
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Oh, yes. The robe? Check this out.
…yeah, but I’ll bet you like DISLIKING the Yankees. So that doesn’t really count.
That’ll preach, Mike. That’ll preach.
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!
My son who has just started t-ball told me recently at one of his games, “Dad, T-ball is as good as heaven.” It got me to thinking that maybe he’s right, there are some similarities. In T-ball…
* You don’t keep score.
* You never get put out.
* Strikes don’t count.
* You have refreshments after the game.
* And, in the end, you always win.
Yea, I’d say that’s pretty much the perfect game. A lot like what it means to be a child of God headed to heaven. Not bad theology.
I love watch my sons T-ball team. All of team running for the ball at short stop. Like Trey said, no score, outs, strikes, all the kids are there for the fun of the game. At the end of the season everyone gets a trophy. It is so cute.
I wonder if they make that robe in white with blue pinstripes?
It’s funny how a day with friends even in a minor league ballpark can be a great day. Two trips plan this summer: Padres @ Dodgers & Angels @ NYY.
Growing up Dodger stadium was a great place now it smells and it seems so tight until you walk from under the stadium and see the field and life is good.
The “Champions Pack” of tickets: $125
Early-bird parking under the subway platform: $3
Watching the Yankees lose at Shea Stadium: priceless.
But after the game we had to wash our ears out with soap.
Oh, I think Matt’s got it right. Even hating the Yankees is something to enjoy about the Great Game.
I love those popflies that land in the Bermuda Triangle.
I love triples.
I love double steals.
I love high-fiving strangers.
I love watching my son learn the game.
I love yelling at umps after a horrible call.
I love sweeping the Dodgers.
Oh My Gosh Mike! You look very……catholic….episcopalian…..maybe even a little jewish. What a robe man…what a robe. Haven’t seen the boys play much lately but I keep hearing they are getting better.
Wow, Mike, you look so… holy. Like you’re about to ascend or something.
Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “clothes make the man”
I like what Trey Morgan had to say! T-Ball is the greatest! All other basball is slow and boring unless your kid or someone you know is playing!
Cool robe. Our preacher was given one for a wedding he did a few years ago. Some of us are still waiting for him to wear it when he preaches.
Baseball - love it as well. When I coached my son I loved coaching 3rd base with a runner aboard third and giving the squeeze sign.” I loved it even more when our batter actually laid down a bunt.
I’m not a baseball fan, (Sorry) but I enjoy everything about it that you mentioned, having been a little league coach and following my son’s career through high school and as his high school’s baseball coach for a few years.
I would add, though, hating the Yankees for me is second to hating the Dodgers! I have to … I live in Long Beach, CA where everyone I know hates the Dodgers.
I’m actually wondering what Mike thought of the ‘Heroes’ finale. Mike, what’d ya think?
I love baseball too much! I have wondered if a professional might attempt to make some diagnosis for me. Why do I continue to watch the Rangers late into the evening knowing they’re getting crushed and also knowing I desperately need to go to bed? It’s a little disturbing.
I do love little league, too! I love it that the smallest boy on Nicholas’ team this season approaches the plate, knocks the snot out of the plate with the bat, crouches into a Jeff Bagwell special and snarls! Come on kid… it’s a pitching machine… who are you trying to scare? He also weighs about 40 pounds! Ha! When neither team is getting hits and the innings are just clipping along, Grant has been known to say, “Pitchers dual…” An odd comment considering the pitcher has an extension cord and a spinning tire.
I also love it that my 8 year old keeps mental stats on the other little league players. He knows how many homers other kids have and what position they normally play. He tell us who is fast and who can throw hard. It really is so cute!
As for the Robe…I can almost hear you saying “Maawaaage” as in Princess Bride.
As for the Yanks, man they looked good last night.
Ah, Mike. C’mon, just admit it. You both like and respect the Yankees, don’t you? I know you do. It’s time to fess up. It’s also time to acknowledge that while the Yankees have looked horrible this season their swagger is back. Yeah, I know. A two game win streak doesn’t mean much but in 1978 we were 14 games out and we mounted a furious comeback and overtook the Sox by mid-July. It’s gonna happen this summer as well. And once again, you’ll be left shaking your head in disbelief.
…snowcones and skint knees, butterfly catchers in right field, the first finger on the outside of the glove to use the extra padding for the heaters, the crack of the bat; yea, even an aluminum one, an oversized ball cap pushing the ears out, new cleats and untied laces. Good memories Mike.
The smell of it….you really need to spend some time in the dugout with 7/8th grade girls softball players. I’m quite sure the mixture of several variations of body spray, perfume, deodorant, and nail polish remover have left me nearly high at times. What’s a bunt sign?
Baseball is at its best when you hear the ping of the aluminum bat. College ball is in a league all it’s own, no union means no strikes, no babies crying because someone else is making more money, they play because they actually love the game. Also tickets are between $5.00 for a bad college team and $10.00 for a great college team.
As for the robe, well you did remember that you were supposed to wear something under it right? ???
Steve:
Oh, I think Matt’s got it right. Even hating the Yankees is something to enjoy about the Great Game.
I love those popflies that land in the Bermuda Triangle.
I love triples.
I love double steals.
I love high-fiving strangers.
I love watching my son learn the game.
I love yelling at umps after a horrible call.
I love sweeping the Dodgers.
Yeah! I agree wholeheartedly, especially sweeping the Dodgers, especially when it’s MY Padres that use the broom!!
Also, really need to add one more item to your list:
Well executed and successful Squeeze!! Beautiful!!
Maybe one more, I love watching Ricky Henderson, whatever he maybe doing. He always make game time fun time, at least to me!
Amy, Rangers did quite a job on Minnesota last night. You must be ecstatic!!
And YES!!! Love seeing the Yankees lose! Yay!!
Good pic Mike - cool threads for sure.
Bitterness is ugly even when covered by a robe. Go Yankees!
I like you Mike. I like the way you preach. I like the way you teach my daughter in Freshman Bible. I like the way you love guacamole. I like the way you love your family. I like the way you bring humor into serious situations. I really like almost everything about you. Except for your flawed team loyalties. Go Yankees!
I agree with all you said except…the “ping of the aluminum bats�!?!?!?
If that’s not baseball heresy, I don’t know what is.
Some of the worst and best times of my life..Montgomery, Alabama.
The apartment complex we lived in also housed the Montgomery Rebels, a AAA baseball team there in Montgomery. I was in high school and they all took me in. Nights at the baseball field watching them play was home.
I never got to play baseball growing up, but I had a glimpse of it last year as my son played on the Boone team. A couple of times Grant was out of town so, in desperation, they asked me to coach first base. I must say, I can see the draw to what you are talking about here. However, I still believe that the only sport that will be played in heaven is Basketball!
That robe makes you look whiter and purer than the bride.
Which, of course, is absurdity that approaches that of deifying the Yankees …
That robe looked pretty awesome.
Baseball is great Mike, it is! But what about the Spurs? Or any mention of the NBA playoffs?
Mike, I must report a Cope sighting last night at a Yankees game. Before you freak out, it was Chris and it was at Dixie. Will it change your mind to learn that five Dixie Yankees were part of the Christmas Musical at Highland? (McLeod, McMillon, Cranford, Yarbrough and Durrington) If you come next Wednesday night at 8:00 you’ll even get to watch the Yankees play the Cardinals and they have a few more Highland kids. (Morrison and Oliver) Only four games left. Right across the street from your park. Consider yourself invited.
An amazing resemblance to Pope Benedict XVI….You cura you!!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:BentoXVI-30-10052007.jpg
I dare you to wear that robe on the first Sunday of the fall semester. I want to see how the new freshmen react.
Found your blog… Just thought I would see how everyone is doing. Look forward to more blogs. We’re still in Monroe(I’m married now); Mom and Dad are still working up at OCS. Just wanted to say hey.
Gee, Mike, my robe is very similar to that, just a different trim. But you won’t catch me chasing our vicar to first base in it. We don’t have baseball diamonds over here.
Mike, I love you. I’ve loved you through your Green Valley Bible Camp years. I’ve loved you through your Missouri years. I’ve loved you through your Searcy years. I’ve loved you through your Texas years. I even showed friends your debut duet (albeit in dark, shadowy, late-night venues)with Dandy Randy. Mike, I’m a Yankee fan. I’ve been a Yankee fan for years. I’m also a fan of wooden bats vs. aluminum bats. I want to believe our friendship can handle the strain. Say it’s so, Joe…uh…I mean, Mike.
Mike, earlier this month I managed to visit my 18th major league ball park (A T & T Park in San Fran; Bonds walked three times). My one and only visit to the House that Ruth Built was when David Well’s pitched a perfect game - only the 15th in major league history. Later that same year my son and I saw Mark McGwire hit #62 in St. Louis, breaking the record of 61 hit by Roger Maris in ‘61. Not a bad year.
I am sorry you are among the many Yankee haters. Those who hate the Bronx Bombers are among all men to be most pitied! But I will still show you my Mickey Mantle scrapbook if you want some day. Or my autographed glossy picture of Stan Musial (I was and am a big Redbird fan in the National League).
Next year I am planning a trip to Cincinnati, where I saw my first game at Crosley Field 50 years ago. I have also been to Riverfront and will get to visit the Great American Ball Park (#19 on my list).
I’m a robe man too.
I’m offended……..nobody mentioned how good the back of my head looked.
DU
Amen, Mike. And I trust that the Cardinals are biding their time, waiting for a resurgence.
@David Hill, the pinstripes will be in the other place…
@LukeD, the real heresy is the DH rule, which explains why the Yankee pinstripes will not be in heaven.
Has your arm recovered from the 100 or so pitches you threw on Monday night to Chris and his team? Btw, this is a great season to be a Yankee hater–a $200 million lineup being only three games ahead of the injury-ravaged Texas Rangers. That’s saying something.
TWD,
I hate the DH rule too. But aluminum bats are so insidious; from a young age we corrupt our children with them.
I agree with all you said except…the “ping of the aluminum bats�!?!?!?
If that’s not baseball heresy, I don’t know what is.
Agreed. Let’s not forget the DH. I’m sorry, but that’s not pure baseball.
As a campbellite-turned-methodist, I dig the robe. Plus, it saves you a lot of dough on suits.
Since Mike is a big Cardinal fan, no wonder he likes robes! I bet his second-favorite team are the Padres!
pastor mike,
nice post. couldn’t agree more. check out another preacher’s love of baseball at:
http://faith-theology.blogspot.com/2007/05/ten-reasons-why-baseball-is-gods-game.html
Need I comment?
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