Major League Basebore

I’m really not a tremendous fan of baseball.  I know, I know.  How un-American of me.  The problem with baseball to me, is that in terms of the overall excitement of a game, it rates somewhere between bowling and golf.  Now, i’m talking purely as a spectator.  Getting out and playing the sport is a completely different animal.    I realize baseball has it’s exciting moments, and I’ve really enjoyed some playoff games in recent years.  It’s not a question of whether the game is exciting, it’s more a question of how long you have to wait for something to happen.  I went to a Rangers game a several years ago.  Worst experience of my entire life.  The Rangers won, 1-0 on a walk off-walk.  Both starting pitchers went the distance pitching 3 hitters.  That alone, on paper, is a great game.  But sitting in the outfield, with baited breath, anticipating homeruns, all while roasting in the August sun, was downright ridiculuous.  I suppose i’m biased.  I’ve attended every professional  sport live at least once.  They rank in this order, based on my experience.  NBA, NFL, NHL, PGA, MLB. 

Now, I can already hear someone out there saying, “He ranked baseball behind golf.”  Yes, yes I did.  For two reasons.  1) I know more about golf than I do about baseball, sadly.  2) I followed Tiger Woods for 18 holes in Colorado, I was six feet away from him for a majority of the day.  The closest you’ll get to a baseball player is determined by the price of your ticket.  Golf = general admission.  So, for a fan it doesn’t get much better. 

I haven’t even discussed my feeling about the scandals that have rocked baseball.  It’s sad really.   Even if I wanted to be a fan, these players make it so hard.  I almost don’t blame them.  Of the major sports, baseball has the weakest penalties (although they are getting better), the worst testing system, and have been the least proactive in recent years.  I think they are doing a good job of working towards a solution.  But, the other major sports have done much, much better.  Everytime I think I am a fan, someone gets caught cheating (thanks Manny).  Im trying to focus on the good things that are happening.  Zach Greinke is pitching lights out, the Yankees are playing like crap, and the home run numbers are good (but not scary, someone’s cheating good).  I want to believe this ship will right itself, baseball will fix it’s inherent problems, and the game will be good again.  Time will tell.