Cinco de Mao – Yes, this day commemorates the surprising
victory of the Mexican army over the French on May 5, 1862;
but when a baseball fan observes this day, he or she emphasizes
the glory of any unexpected day of triumph, when his team, his
pitcher, his fellow fanatic experiences an unexpected triumph, in
a game, a series, a season. When the unexpected happens, odds
fade and the joy in Mudville is restored and Casey once again
is in control of his universe – and all is well. There is reason for
celebration: the underdog looks at the stands and feels the
frenetic, exhilarating applause of the faithful, and Winged Victory
Is home again.
Mother’s Day – Our inner being is well nurtured by our mother
team. Our emotional (and sometimes physical) needs are met by
every well-placed hit or pitch. Our inborn desire for non-lethal
combat is nourished by players who give their all and leave nothing
on the field. Each of us baseball fans was born to love and be faithful
to his or her team and we welcome the annual opportunity to do
so officially. We sit in the stands or in front of the screen at home
and send mental hugs as well as the occasional roar to our mother
lode of athletes trying their best for us on the field at play.
Memorial Day – Solemnity blankets this day. It is a day to recognize
The ultimate sacrifice of people who defended our way of life. There is
No bypassing or ignoring what they did. Baseball has had its own
losses, players who died in the midst of their careers and deserve to
be memorialized -– Roberto Clementé, who died in a plane crash while
bringing supplies to victims of a natural disaster, and Thurman Munson,
who died the same way and just wanted to spend more time with his
family – and so many others, sch as José Fernandez, Oscar Taveras,
Joe Kennedy, Lou Gehrig, Darryl Kile, Lymon Bostock, Paul Edmondson,
Ken Hubbs, Josh Gibson and so many others. Armed Forces or Baseball,
REQUIESCAT IN PACE . . . .