For the Love of Baseball

Other than politics, baseball has been another pasttime that has provided much joy. Whether it is a double play that determines the end of a game or a home run that is smacked into the deep center field area, it is the love of the game that keeps me determined to stay a fan.

Today, I went to the Nationals game versus the Mets, and sat behind the first base line. While I am not a fan of either team, I went for the love of the game. It was the atmosphere that kept me hooked, whether it was yelling, “Charge,” doing the wave, singing “Take me out to the Ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch. While at the game, I kept remembering what it was that brought me to love this great American pasttime.

Growing up in the Baltimore area, I was surrounded by family members who loved (and still love) the Orioles. It was not unusual to hear my Uncle Junior talk about the Orioles of the early 80s, and how electric the fans were in Memorial Stadium after Cal Ripken, Jr. hit a home run. Whenever we had family picnics in the Summer, we would gather around the TV with Grandpap Bill to watch a game in the living room of their home. In our heavy Baltimore accents, we would yell “How about them O’s!” It was all about the love of watching line drives, watching the players of the opposition team getting struck out at home plate, listening to Chuck Thompson’s fabulous sports announcing, just talking about other games we watched on TV. It was beautiful learning about the rules of the game and having a common tie with family.

As I grew older, I lost interest in the game. My interest quickly turned to fashion and girl talk during my preteen years. I came back to the game during my junior year of high school, only to rebel and become a New York Yankees fan, which my Uncle only speculated that it was due to Derek Jeter. From then on, I became a die-hard baseball and New York Yankees fan. The hilarious thing was that my first ever Major League baseball game was when I was sixteen, watching the Boston Red Sox lose to the O’s.

It’s still a love for the history of the game that keeps me devoted to baseball. I love watching the classic games of the 80s, and being transported to the time when there seemed to be no worries, except whether your team won or lost.