September 24, 2005

LIFE REMAINS A METAPHOR FOR BASEBALL

        Horsefeathers has been spending considerable time recently at his House of Worship, Yankee Stadium, and as a result has been neglecting the undoubtedly larger issues of the day. Still there is something to be said for spending time away at the ballpark, amongst 50,000 American patriots, enjoying the National Anthem, Kate Smith singing God Bless America, and the national pastime. Baseball is a humbling game, not for utopian perfectionists. It reminds us that wars are not easily won, that there are setbacks to be overcome. Even the greatest players, like A-Rod, make outs 2/3 of the time. Similarly, the fan who expects victory in every game will be disappointed. Regret over lost opportunities (how could we lose so many to Tampa Bay?) is constant. Still, hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul--and hope was in short supply for Yankee fans through much of the season
        Horsefeathers has enjoyed criticizing George Steinbrenner as much as any Yankee fan. Our complaints have ranged from resentment over the price of a beer at the ballpark---$8.50 for a watered down Bud and, God preserve the memory of Billy Martin, sushi between innings---to “the Boss’s” interference in the day to day running of the ball club. We detest the loud rock music at the ballpark, the canned demands that fans “get loud”, in short,anything that detracts from the game itself. In principle, we dislike the notion of big bucks buying a winner. Yet in this bizarre and wonderful season, with the Yankees, amazingly still in the pennant hunt, we say ‘thank you’ to George Steinbrenner. This may be the most remarkable season in the Joe Torre era. As the high priced stars broke down and the baseball pundits gleefully predicted the collapse of the Yankees, somehow it hasn't happened--much to Horsefeathers' amazement. Instead, a bunch of no-name players proved equal to the challenge. Who ever thought of Robinson Cano—the Yankee farm system was supposedly shot- Aaron Small, a 33 year old, lifetime minor leaguer, Bubba Crosby, (both obtained by Brian Cashman in a trade for Robin Ventura, now out of baseball) Shawn Chacon, the Colorado loser, in the line of Yankee winners? Bubba Crosby is especially inspiring, for he looks like an average kid, with (deceptively) average ability. When he hit his spectacular game winning homer against Baltimore, and his teammates erupted in glee, who didn't identify with him? When he said he had never done that, even in Little League, how many of us who coached Little League were transported back to the thrilling days when one of our 11 year olds launched a game winner over the right fielder's head? And then there’s the phenomenal return of Jason Giambi, the one steroid using player who handled his situation with dignity and grace. Here’s to you Jason---and to Joe Torre and Don Mattingly for sticking with you when most of us fans were eager to see you booted off the team. So whatever happens from here on, Horsefeathers raises a glass to George Steinbrenner. The Boss wants a winner, but he is, like his hero, George Patton, flexible enough to adapt to changing circumstances. We hope he is enjoying this great and glorious season as much as we fans. Win or lose, these Yankees have earned the respect we were so reluctant to give.