One of the most predictable things about baseball is that someone, somewhere is complaining that things were better in their day. No matter how great Albert Pujols might be, your grandpa insists that Stan Musial was better and if you mention how shocking it is to see the Rays with a winning record, he'll regale you with tales of 1944 when the Browns actually made the World Series. Be sure to note that if your grandfather isn't from St. Louis, none of the above applies. Anyway, you expect the nostalgics to reach deep into the memory bank not 12 months. That's what makes Mike Celizic such a trail blazer. If you think the 2008 baseball season is enjoyable, he doesn't, well, then you clearly don't remember the halcyon days of 2007!
Remember when ESPN used to interrupt whatever it was broadcasting to show Barry Bonds' latest at-bat? Remember when we logged into MLB.com to track each pitch that Roger Clemens threw?Can I remember something that happened less than a year ago? Yes, Mike I can, and you know what? I don't miss them one bit. Celizic argues that there are no superstars to capture interest, just teams. I'm fine watching Chipper Jones flirt with .400 and hitters like Pujols and Chase Utley but I'm just as excited about what Tampa and Florida are doing. Arizona could be on the cusp of a brilliant run and the Red Sox are trying to repeat.
Celizic seems to think that the only storylines are ones that revolve around personal milestones, which I guess don't include Greg Maddux winning 350 games or Ken Griffey aiming at 600 homers. I mean, if ESPN doesn't cut in for it, it doesn't count, right? Of course, later in the article Celizic argues that milestones have been devalued which is an interesting argument to make when bemoaning the lack of milestone chases. He wraps up his deluded trip through recent baseball history and leaves us with this thought.
The game is still great, but it's games we watch now, not moments. That's not necessarily bad, but it sure is different.Woe is us, forced to watch games instead of bloated superstars chasing records. I'll be crying in my soup tonight while I watch the surprising and intriguing Marlins face the red-hot Edinson Volquez.
(H/T BBTF)
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. ESPN - exactly what is wrong with most sports. I'm just as happy watching a local high school or college baseball game as going to a MLB game - it's the game, not just one or 2 players.
Posted at 10:46AM on May 13th 2008 by Bas
2. Stop Ragging on Bonds all the time.
If you think what he did was so easy, show up for try outs in the springs, make a major league team and go about beating the all time home run record yourself.
Since you know so much more about the game then all of the Game's Greats do.
I'm so sick of you media types ripping on these guys.
Get a life and accomplish something in your own life so you have something real to talk about.
Posted at 12:25PM on May 13th 2008 by Orlando Fred
3. Of course Albert is great.... I think Stan won 7 (SEVEN) batting titles & 3 (THREE) MVP's.... It will be awhile before Albert gets there...
Meanwhile, the era of Mays, Aaron, Clemente, Mantle, Williams,Kaline etc and Spahn, Ford, Koufax, Marichal, Gibson,Jenkins, etc will NEVER be equaled.
A lot of todays players are just over-paid smart-asses.... Only a few are loyal to their team.. of course the owners are in the same boat.....
Posted at 3:50PM on May 13th 2008 by Big Bad John