Thoughts from a Basement Athlete

Hope Springs…

So we drop another game on the Yankees and I’m scraping the bottom of my barrel of optimism…

Clay Bucholz has almost been solid in his last couple outings. Mike Lowell can hit wrist-shot home runs while hobbling on my grandmother’s hip. David Ortiz isn’t late on every fastball. The glass is half full, even if it’s leaking!

Only a game out of the Wild Card! Hope lives. 

Lone Star Extravaganza

Like a grounded Battlestar Galactica the new stadium in Dallas is more of a metropolis than a local gridiron.

The place is mind-boggling. Two 180 foot wide by 120 foot tall sets of sliding glass doors dwarf the sliding doors off our family room. These are the only two entrances to the stadium, and a jumbo-tron hangs over the center of the field like an enormous hockey arena. What?

A billion dollars? (No, literally) Does every fan get a complimentary massage and bottle of champagne as they leave? 

I’m just jealous that my house doesn’t have the 11,200 square foot HGTV that will entertain fans between plays of the 8 games a year (plus playoffs??) that will be played in this 8th wonder of the modern world.

Comebacks, Colosseums & Clones

Far from my mind when Tom Brady crumpled in the pocket last September was that I would be present the next time he threw a out-pattern in a competitive game. My Dad, my sister, and I mingled with “friendly” Eagles fans at the Pats first preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Believe it or not, it was my first, live football game (of any kind, at any level). Ah, the recovered joy of watching the methodical, surgical march of a Tom Brady drive. 

A truly different experience in person. We were spectators at a war-game. It was simply pre-season, but we sat in a modern colosseum as we watched warriors surge and retreat to gain dominion over desired territory. Roars erupted from a raucous crowd that made it easy to envision myself a citizen of ancient Rome. Minus the lions.

BREAKING NEWS: My favorite Patriot, Wes Welker, has cloned himself. The other Wes, disguised as #11 is sneaking around under the identity of rookie receiver, Julian Edelman. The similarities are almost eerie. You have to check their jerseys to see when they switched. I may have a new 2nd favorite player.

Maybe I just have a bias towards short, white athletes.

Tiger is Human

Tiger Woods blew a lead in a major. 

In other news: Keanu Reeves can suddenly act, Peyton Manning turned down an advertising deal, and the Jews and the Arabs are getting along swimmingly. 

The Days Ahead

The Little League World Series is upon us. I love it. Why is it on my mental, sports calendar? We ordinary people can relate to it. I watch with my dad and my little brother and we all get it. We’re all Little Leaguers (or former Little Leaguers). A 12 year old kid from Peabody, MA (just minutes from where I was born) hit a walk-off grand slam on national television last Friday to send his team to Williamsport. You think his grandkids might hear about that one a couple of times?

Grant and I will continue perfecting our 1-on-1 backyard, baseball games. Actual competition is emerging from our efforts, as we refine our 7 year old versus 21 year old competition. Friday’s game ended early when I hit him in the leg with a pitch. It was tragic.

All the Nation’s eyes are on the Red Sox trying to save their season this weekend against the Yankees at Fenway….sigh….

If you see a story that you think should be included in the hopefully recurring “Kit & Kaboodle” please email me at adamshorey@enjoyinggrace.org.