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Barry Lewis

Baseball alive and well in our hearts

Barry Lewis
Posted 2/17/23

Pitchers and catchers report.

Sounds nice, doesn't it?

Like the sound of a Tom Seaver fastball hitting the inside corner of the plate, freezing the batter who just took a called third …

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Barry Lewis

Baseball alive and well in our hearts

Posted

Pitchers and catchers report.

Sounds nice, doesn't it?

Like the sound of a Tom Seaver fastball hitting the inside corner of the plate, freezing the batter who just took a called third strike.

Pitchers and catchers report.

Flows smoothly off the tongue.

Like the smooth steady swing of Ted Williams, who even at 40 could spray the field with endless hit-them-where-they-ain't line drives.

Pitchers and catchers report.

Makes you smile and replay images from your past.

Derek Jeter diving into the stands to rob Boston's Trot Nixon in the 12th inning of a midsummer game. Willie Mays speeding to the warning track to make an over-the shoulder catch off Vic Wertz in the 1954 World series, then spinning and heaving the ball, his hat flying. Carlton Fisk skipping down the basepath, waving his ball to stay fair for his game-winning home run in the 12th inning of Game Six of the 1975 World Series.

Memories are endless.

Each one comes alive when the calendar alerts us that it's time for pitchers and catchers to report.

When the Boys of Summer return to their cozy confines of spring training sites under the warmth of the sun in Florida and Arizona.

When there are no winners or losers. No fights for first. No wild-card hopefuls. No cellar dwellers. No streaks. No slumps.

When everyone is equal.

How did the Mets do last season? Ancient history.

How will they do this year?

They'll win it all.

How can that be?

Why not?

Who really thought the Astros would win it all again last year?

Nobody. But they did.

Will the Yankees make it back to the Series?

Sure. Really? Why not?

Yankees vs. Mets?

Sure. Really? Why not?

But we're talking about the Mets.

Reality?

Get back to me when we're mathematically out. If.

Not today.

Anything is possible when pitchers and catchers report.

I hear folks say baseball is dying. Really? The Chiefs just won the Super Bowl. Had 113 million viewers. Think anyone is waiting for the day when punters and kickers report?

Football fills a few days in the week - but only when the games count. But baseball...they won't play it for real for another six weeks, and still we've got it in our blood. It never leaves us.

Some may suggest it has more to do with the yearning for winter to finally end and spring to arrive than to mark the occasion when millionaire men play catch and do wind sprints, spit tobacco juice and adjust their cups. Let them suggest.

For me — and the millions of other followers of our national pastime — the return of pitchers and catchers is a return to our roots, when we played on the schoolyard concrete, the dusty sandlots or the manicured Little League fields.

When we flipped baseball cards, scoured box scores and fell asleep to the soothing sounds of Murphy, Kiner and Nelson. Or Barber. Allen. Or the Scooter. Holy Cow!

When we won’t have to fiddle with the radio dial on the drive home, searching for a sound to break up the music and the nonsensical talk. You can always find comfort listening to a game.

This is the week that pitchers and catchers report.

When despite what some groundhog decides, what the calendar deems and what the weatherman delivers, spring arrives in our hearts.

When the Mets are nothing but winners.

Only today it’s not about wins and losses. It’s knowing hitters will soon follow the pitchers and catchers. Then it’s box scores. And opening day. 

Shhh. I just heard somebody yell, “Play Ball!”

Barry Lewis is a longtime journalist and author who lives with his wife Bonnie in the Town of Neversink. He can be reached at      barrylewisscdemocrat@gmail.com.

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