2020 MLB Running Thread

I've seen more of that recently for outfielder shifts based on each batter, but a pitcher? Not that I can remember. If they start using those huge college football sideline play cards, I'll be more impressed.

 

In addition of several cardboard dogs behind the plate at San Diego's Petco Park, there is a huge baby cutout that's only slightly smaller than the Baby Trump Balloon. Holy moly, that's scary to see on every pitch.

 

Presenting the Vans Sk8-Hi … now in baseball spikes.

 

I figured you could spike up Walmart shoes and be good.

 

Also at Petco Park: there is a big advertisement in the bullpen for Cutwater. It's on the wall behind the two pitching mounds.

They were playing the Diamondbacks and they had two pitchers warming up. On the camera shot of the bullpen the pitchers block a few letters on the left and right edges of the sign, turning the CUTWATER sign into a TWAT sign.

 

I got home late Friday from a three-night stay at some campground between Loveland and Estes Park, and after everyone was in bed I got into the A’s-Angels game. I was, despite myself, enthralled.

I loved everything about it: the crowd noise, the goofy cutouts, the swings in elation and deflation as the score changed hands.

I didn’t expect to be drawn in, but I was. It wasn’t what I thought, but it was, as I found, just what I needed.

(Or maybe it was the effects from driving all 775 miles back.)

 

I’ve had a similar experience the last few days (though, just after walking from my dining room table to my couch after work).

I love baseball and knew I’d be happy if it could return and be played as safely as possible.

But the experience, with all the weirdness, is much better than expected. I was INTO the last few innings of Angels-A’s on Friday night. That’s not a normal thing for me. Used to be background noise while my mind was on five different things.

The ratings for the Yanks-Nats game on Thursday was the highest for a regular season game in nine years. That won’t last, but it’s a helluva number.

 

I think the only reason they pipe in sound for these crowdless games is to drown out all the cussing. Baseball, after all, is a game of failure.

 

Wondering how long we'll have the National Pastime as a diversion. Matt Davidson of the Reds tested positive after playing in the opener. And San Diego's Eric Hosmer missed last night's game with "non-COVID" illness that sure sounds like COVID. It's a flimsy house of cards that could come crashing down at any moment.

For now, I'm holding my breath (mainly because I don't want to get sick).

 

Stolen from a friend's Facebook page. Fox putting fans in Wrigley does ... not ... work.