Ah, Spring

It's finally Spring. Okay, not on the calendar but for baseball. Spring Training has started and the players, like the fans, are happy to get back into the game.
I was just surfing through the channels hoping to catch the Angels game but, alas, it wasn't there. Instead I watched a show about Old Time baseball, Baseball's Golden Age. This is a great show! They have all these clips from old home movies, many of them taken by the ball players. What a collection!
The part of this show that really got to me was about the All Star game. This was a true joy when I was a kid as you got to see the players that normally you'd never see because they didn't play in your league or their team never made it to the World Series. Guys that you secretly rooted for. For me that would be guys like the great Mickey Mantle of the dreaded New York Yankees. Players that you knew were great even if they played for teams you didn't like.
The other nice thing about the game back then was that you took great pride when one of your team members was there. I, like any Pirates fan, knew Roberto Clemente was fantastic. Imagine the sell of pride to see him at an All Star game. There he was, hanging out with other greats like Willie Mays and Hank Aaron. What a combination of talent!
It's kind of funny to look at things back then. Players actually played the entire game then. They weren't there just for an inning or two only to be replaced by someone else the way they are today. They were there to play and to compete. Foremost of all they were there to win! The game was important to them. Sure, the players today all say they are proud to be there, heck, who wouldn't be happy to be recognized by the fans? But, somehow, it just isn't the same.
It is time for Spring Training, so get out your mitt. Sit at home and watch your favorite team get ready for the season and cheer them on. Watch with excitement as they use some of the "kids" who won't make the roster this year but surely will make it to the Bigs sometime soon. And if the team isn't on today, try to catch up with a great show like Baseball's Golden Age. it's on Fox Sports network. I hope they show it wherever you live.
Now, pass me some popcorn and soda.