I write about a lot of different things, because inspiration can be found just about anywhere. But the topic that always seems to inspire me the most is baseball. It’s been a part of my life ever since I was a young kid, and it’s something of my muse. And so it has been overContinue reading “Baseball on my mind, as usual”
Tag Archives: spring training
Light at the end of Winter’s tunnel
This winter has been unlike any that I’ve seen before. The cold seems colder, the snow seems deeper, and the winds seem to whip everything up with more gusto than usual. A conversation with a baseball-loving colleague earlier this week produced what I’m going to call the Wilker Rule. It’s an inverse relationship between theContinue reading “Light at the end of Winter’s tunnel”
Spring training and life itself
Since this winter has been dragging on and on, the news that Spring training is almost here is a welcome reminder of warmer days to come. I’ve written about Beyond the Vines before, and in a way it reminds me of something, too. Nestled among the graves at the Bohemian National cemetery on Chicago’s NorthContinue reading “Spring training and life itself”
The depths of Winter
It snowed in many places last night. It seems as if Winter is determined to assert itself one last time (I hope) before Spring rolls around. And pitchers and catchers are reporting to Spring Training next week. Nothing chases Winter away quite like that. This too shall pass, and the sooner, the better.
Waiting on Opening Day
A few things are going on in the sports world over the coming two months: the Super Bowl next weekend, the NHL trying to fit something resembling a season in, and the NCAA final four. And of course, Spring training will also get going in a few weeks’ time. The Cubs will open their seasonContinue reading “Waiting on Opening Day”
The unbeatable Trever Miller
Every old baseball card could tell a story, if you wanted it to. I have thousands of these things sitting in boxes, just waiting for me to pay some attention to them. And many days I have other topics that I’m more interested in writing about. But these things serve as my bulwark against runningContinue reading “The unbeatable Trever Miller”
April is here at last
It’s finally April, at least on the calendar. It feels like April was here a few weeks ago, or maybe like April never came at all this year. But no amount of warm weather could bring the baseball season any earlier. Spring training is an annual ritual, which must be carried through to its completion.Continue reading “April is here at last”
Signs of Spring
Yesterday I listened to a Cubs game on the radio. A spring training game, but still enough to get me thinking about the impending season. I don’t know (and don’t much care) if the Cubs won the game or not, but just knowing that the season is in the pipeline, so to speak, is enough.Continue reading “Signs of Spring”
Everyone’s in camp now
The Cubs apparently now have all their players in spring training, so the start of the season keeps getting closer. I offered my opinions on the Cubs this year for a Cardinals site, and they were published today. I was assuming at the time that the Brewers would be without Ryan Braun for the firstContinue reading “Everyone’s in camp now”
Pitchers and catchers reported today
It’s officially spring training, now that the pitchers and catchers have reported to the Cubs’ facilities in Arizona. Position players are coming in next week. Burt Hooton was a Cubs pitcher who seemed destined for greatness. He made his big league debut in 1971, without spending a single day in the minor leagues. No CubsContinue reading “Pitchers and catchers reported today”
Blue Batting Helmet 