Show Me Something

There’s a bad news epidemic that’s rolling through the Angels and it isn’t taking any prisoners.  It’s kicking the team’s butt and barreling through it like a tidal wave and that’s not to be confused with a title wave.

Every time I check MLB Trade Rumors, tune into MLB network or just open my eyes – I see one awful report after another.  Good grief, somebody please make it stop.

I guess this is what happens when you don’t show any empathy for other teams who go through seasons with devastating injuries to their team.  I guess this is just the way the ball bounces – like an inning ending double play.  Boom.  Just like that.

It’s only May 10 and I’m not prepared to give up on a season.  The idea of a long, losing season just makes me want to… well, it make me want to puke.  I don’t know if I can stomach it. 

I guess there’s two ways the team can respond.  They can either roll-over and play the “Woe is me” card or they can look each other in the eye and say, “Let’s win this thing anyway.”

I really don’t know what they will do or what they’re capable of doing.  Certainly, things don’t look very good on paper, but we all know that games aren’t won on paper. Time will tell what this team is made of and if they can overcome and become something special. 

This is what I do know…  It’s time for Albert Pujols to step up.  In fact, it’s past time.  I don’t know if Father Time has finally caught up with him or if he’s just on cruise control as he coasts towards Coopers Town – but I’ve been more than patient waiting for some semblance of greatness to show up on a consistent basis. 

There was a time when any team that Albert Pujols in its lineup had a chance.  There was a time when Albert wanted to prove to the world that he was in fact the best hitter in baseball.  He had a chip on his shoulder.  He played with an edge and a fierceness that was awesome to watch.

I don’t know if he still has any of that.  I just don’t.  I don’t know the man personally.  I’d like to believe he still has a fire in his belly, but I’d like to believe a lot of things…

Losing isn’t fun.  Watching a team not compete is just plain painful.  I don’t want or need that kind of aggravation.

I’ll be going to the games against the Cardinals and I’ll be watching to see what kind of effort they put forth.  If I don’t see guys battling like they’d rather die than make an out, let alone lose a game – I won’t be happy.  I want to see a team that is out to prove the doubters wrong and to show the rest of baseball that they’re not done.

The great Jim Valvano once gave a great speech about how ordinary people do extra-ordinary things every day.  Well?  It all starts tonight and I’ll be watching.  

Ready to Be-Weave

Jered Weaver has provided me with many great memories.  From his no-hitter to his asking the question “How much more do you really need?” when asked if he thought he sold himself short with his contract extension.

I have said it before and I will say it again – I absolutely love watching him pitch.  I dig his competitiveness and the way he wears his emotions on his sleeve.  He’s a fighter and I never feel cheated whenever I watch him take the mound.  I get a sense of peace and calmness whenever he’s starting in a big game. 

We’ve been given glimpses of who he is through the eyes of television and the big stage that is Major League Baseball.  We have seen him hugging his parents after his no-hitter, wearing Cardinals gear and cheering for his brother Jeff as the Cardinals won a World Series.  We see this human side of him that’s endearing.

We get the sense that he’s kind of, sort of just like us.  He’s a regular guy who just happens to have an immense amount of talent.  He works hard and he appreciates everything that he has. 

Thursday night – he will take the mound for the first game of the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals and I couldn’t be happier.  I have no idea what will happen that game, but I know that Weaver will give us everything he has and that’s enough for me.  This is what we want – a player who cares and wants to win and will not let the magnitude of the moment overwhelm him. 

I believe every professional athlete wants to win, but in some – it’s hard to tell based on their persona.  With Weaver it’s easy to come to that conclusion. 

It would be very easy for me to get emotional about this.  There’s something about the way Weaver goes about his business that is inspiring.  I feel connected to him when he screams and pumps his fist after closing out an inning.  I am right there with him in that moment and I absolutely love it.  I want to scream along with him and say – “Yes! You can do that against anyone; absolutely anyone.”

This is what being a fan is all about for me.  Those moments when every care or worry in the world is blocked out by the greatness of a single moment.  Something amazing has happened and you are there to share in the experience.  Nobody brings that to into focus more than Weave for me. 

It is easy for me to focus on every pitch he delivers.  To watch him dissect a lineup and befuddle opponents with a fastball that is no longer over powering is an absolute blast to see.  It’s art.  It’s magical and it’s beautiful.

It’s like watching a fighter step into the ring with a bigger, stronger opponent while the crowd looks on expecting to see a blood bath and then seeing the man do things that utterly frustrates an opponent in such a way that it’s almost comical.  He’s David facing Goliath every time he steps on the mound and Goliath hasn’t got a chance.

Weaver is tall, but he’s not imposing.  He’s not scary looking, but he is extremely fierce.  He is most dangerous when you think you have him figured out.  If you try to size him up, you’re going to be in for a rude awakening because he will rip your heart out in the heat of battle.  He is everything this fan could ever want in a starting pitcher.

I make every effort to see Weaver pitch every time he’s on the mound.  I hate missing any opportunity to watch him compete.  For me, Weaver is always great theater and I don’t want to miss a single act.

I have a tradition that I will carry with me Thursday. Every time Weaver takes the mound, I wear a shirt with his name on it.  That will be the case again.

You can’t imagine how excited I am to see him pitch in game 1.  I feel like I’m 8 years old again waiting the big day.  I’m ready to get lost in the moment that is postseason baseball.  I’m ready to Be-Weave.