Hope Springs Eternal
For me, today is one of the best days of the year. Opening Day is the official start of the major league baseball season. When I was working, I typically took a “personal day” and stayed at home and watched the triple header on ESPN. From Opening Day forward, I will watch a LOT of baseball. Even in my 60’s I can’t get enough of it. For those of you who think baseball is boring, I have one suggestion. Go join a local team and try and do what they do and for kicks try and make it look as easy as they do it. It has always been incredible to me. Hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports in my humble opinion.
Back in Ohio growing up it also seemed like an unofficial end to the cruddy weather we had been dealing with for the past four months or so. Even though it was “iffy” that the weather would hold up in late March in Cleveland for an opener it always seemed warmer with baseball being back. Games were rained out, snowed out, “colded” out, but the hardy folks from northeast Ohio filled up the Stadium to welcome back baseball and revive the hopes of “this is the year”.
It has now been 76 years since the Tribe enjoyed being “World” champs. But every year the most loyal fans in the entire universe allow themselves to believe that this is the year it’s going to finally happen. Hope Springs Eternal indeed for the Erie Warriors. If you ever want to get married and are looking and hoping for a loyal partner, choose an Indians or Browns fan because if nothing else, we are loyal without a doubt and you can probably throw in optimistic, romantic and delusional.
Even though I have lived in Atlanta, Georgia for the last 41 years, a lot of the way I view the world and other people was placed in me growing up in northeast Ohio. As I got older and started traveling around the country, I started to realize that the world didn’t rotate around my community in Akron, Ohio and in fact there were two or three people that had not even heard of my hometown (the horror!). However, one thing about us “guys” from Ohio is that we have a somewhat large chip on our shoulders from people taking shots at our beloved homeland. We seem to defend her honor with some oomph. One of the results of that (to me) is that it can build an attitude in you that will keep you in the “fight” until they have to drag you out of there. You might beat us once, but you better pack lunch because tomorrow you are going to have to do it again.
One of my greatest memories of Opening Day was in 1975. The Hall of Famer, Frank Robinson, became the first black manager in the American League and was also a player-manager for the Tribe. I was in the 9th grade and really wanted to see the game and experience this part of history being made just 40 miles up the road from Akron. Back in those days we didn’t get to see every game or have the ability to stream games on our phones. We had transistor radios. That’s as advanced as it got back in the mid-1970s for this tire builder’s kid. School was pointless on opening day. Even though my beloved Tribe was always picked to finish last or next to last every year, Hope Springs Eternal. The tough guys from Cleveland would show the world that we could compete with the Yankees, Red Sox and other big city teams in the American League East. So, I’ve got my earpiece in for my radio that is hidden in my gym roll (like about six or seven other guys in the class) and Frank Robinson pinch hits HIMSELF into a close game. The bat goes on forever it seems, and me and my buddies are eyeballing each other and then BOOM!!! Robinson hits one out. Joe Tait and Herb Score announce to all of us…” It’s Outta Here!! In unison, all of us listening to the game on our radios leap out of our seats at the same time yelling “It’s Gone!”. The teacher was not amused. I definitely think she was a Yankees fan. She collected all the radios, and I never saw that one again. Who cares! That was GREAT!! I’m in my 60’s and I still get excited remembering that. Trust me, soccer will never do that for me.
One of the great things about baseball is that all the “experts” will pick their picks every year (and it usually is not my guys) but you still have to play 162 and anything can happen. Sometimes the team you least expect to get on a roll and surprise everyone and win the whole thing or at least make a long run in the playoffs. It does seem to give hope that anything is possible and if you work at its good things can happen.
Today’s blog is my attempt to relate Hope using baseball as a backdrop. Thanks for giving it a go today, I appreciate it. Let’s Play Ball!
But First…A Joke:
A cowboy from Michigan walks into a bar. “What can I get for you?” the bartender asks. “A double whiskey, neat,” he replies. As the bartender from Ohio pours, she asks, “How’s it going today?” “I have a problem with my horses,” the cowboy admits. “I want to train one of them to be a racehorse and the other to be a workhorse, but they look so similar I can’t tell them apart!”
The bartender thinks it over for a minute and says, “How about you cut off one of their manes?” “That’s actually a great idea,” the cowboy says.
One month later, the cowboy returns to the bar, looking depressed again. The bartender asks, “How are your horses?” “The mane trick worked great at first, but then the hair grew back, and I can’t tell them apart!” She suggests, “Can you shave the hair off one of their tails?” “That might work…” the cowboy replies.
Another month has passed. The cowboy returns, distraught. “Their tails and manes are the same length again!” he complains. Exasperated, the bartender asks, “Can’t you just measure their height or something?”
A week later, the cowboy returns joyously and hugs the surprised bartender. “What’s going on?” the bartender asks.
“It worked! The white horse is three inches taller than the black horse!”
Bonus Dad Joke:
The other day, a German shepherd peed on my front lawn, right in front on me. And today, he brought his dog with him!
A Verse to Contemplate:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10
Have I Told You This One?
One of the greatest World Series to ever be played was played in 2016 between the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs (trust me). Going into the Series, the Cubs had not won a World Series since 1908 and the Indians since 1948. One of these two cities that had waited a long time were finally going to say that indeed it was their year. Hope Springs Eternal for sure! The Indians won 94 games and took the American League pennant by beating Toronto 4 games to 1. The Cubs won 103 games and beat the Dodgers to take the National League. The Series opened in Cleveland.
As an Indians fan, I am glued to the games. Cleveland jumps out to three games to one lead with two shutouts. One more to go. Anyone that is a sports fan knows it’s not over till it’s over (thanks Yogi!) and unfortunately, that became true in this one.
Game 5 Cleveland lost 3-2 at Wrigley. No problem. The Series shifts back to Cleveland, and we only need to win one of two at the Jake. Game 6 the Cubs blow us out 9-3 so the Series is tied at 3 games apiece and it goes to Game 7. Hope Springs Eternal. There’s no way we are going to blow this, right? No sleep all night, worthless at work, can’t eat dinner, and finally game time.
Game 7 turns out to be a Classic! The Tribe has their ace Cory Kluber pitching, Hope Springs Eternal. First batter of the game, Dexter Fowler (who?) hits a home run for the Cubs. Are you kidding me? The Tribe ties in back up in the third inning playing some small ball, Hope Springs Eternal. The Cubs scored two in the fourth and then take a 4-1 lead in the fifth off a homer by Javier Baez. Oh no, Kluber is out. Andrew Miller relieves Kluber and gives up a run to push it to 5-1, CRAP! Cleveland scored two in the fifth but gave up another homer this time to David Ross (David bleeping Ross) in the sixth to make it 6-3. It looks bleak. I’m preparing myself for another Wait till Next Year silver lining. The Cubs bring in Aroldis Chapman to close out. It’s over. But is it? Hope Springs Eternal, right?
With two out in the eighth Brandon Guyer (who?) knocks a double that scores 2 to make it 6-4. The last hope is Rajai Davis hitting a whopping .132. A long one ties it but I’m already sitting there with my arms crossed saying naughty words. But Hope Springs Eternal and Davis hits it out and ties the game. I’m waking the neighbors up now!
The Cubs blow a great chance to score in the ninth and the Tribe does nothing in their half of the ninth and then… a RAIN DELAY! Are you kidding me? Every Cleveland fan in the world KNEW that was it. After the rain delay in the top of the 10th inning Ben Zobrist (0-4 in the game) drives in a run and Miguel Montero (who?) batting .091 knocks in another run to take it to 8-6.
In the bottom of the 10th Cleveland’s first two batters go down quietly and they are down to their last out (again!). Davis comes up again with a guy on second after a walk and a steal and knocks him in, Hope Springs Eternal! The Cubs bring in Mike Montgomery (who?) with zero career saves to win the World Series, Hope Springs Eternal. Michael Martinez (who?) grounds out and that’s all she wrote folks!
The great thing about baseball is that there is always Hope as long as you keep playing the game. As this game showed, a lot of “unknown” players made it happen in the most important game of their season and probably their lives, on both teams.
Last year, Cleveland was predicted to come in fourth in a weak Central Division of the American League but ended up winning 92 games and running away with the division. They made it all the way to the American League Championship Series before losing to the Yankees (ughh). This year they are predicted to finish third in a weak Central Division of the American League. So, Hope Springs Eternal, and there are 162 games to play to see if the “experts” are “right.”
I hope the “experts” in your life and mine underestimate us too so that we can show them how wrong they are. You and I receive unique opportunities to serve the Lord and others in our lives. There are times when Jesus will ask me/you/us to join him as He is at work in the life of our friends, family, or coworker. God is glorified when He uses the seemingly less qualified to carry out His plans and to change lives in the process. If I am preoccupied with my own needs, I will miss the blessing of sharing in this Divine activity. God is gracious; He forgives, and He will provide other opportunities. That particular opportunity is missed forever, however. He will even use our failings to bring about good, but it is critical that we respond when He asks in obedience. We don’t have to, we get to! My Hope Springs Eternal because I know where that Hope comes from and what it can do. I hope you do too.
Play Ball! Go Tribe! Let’s Shock the World!
A Prayer:
Heavenly Father, still my heart in the silence and reveal Your love to me. Teach me to silence the voices of doubt and despair and to receive Your grace and compassion.
Book Recommendation:
How God Makes Men by Patrick Morley (2013)
Music Recommendation:
Free by Office of Strategic Influence (“OSI”) - (2006)
Quote of the Day:
“Political correctness is tyranny with manners” - Charleton Heston
Cool Place to Visit:
Coronado Island, California