On Baseball- Daryll

1. “The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled
by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased
again. But, baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past, Ray.
It reminds us of all that once was good, and could be again.” (Field of Dreams)

For as long as I can remember, I have loved baseball. I remember throwing a tennis
ball against our wood garage door, I remember practicing diving for imaginary baseballs while
playing on the Pirates in tee ball. I got to meet Terry Pendleton of the Braves as a 5 year old
and he also played my position. As I grew up, baseball grew with me. The junior high baseball
team, high school freshman, then JV, and even getting cut from the varsity team; one of the
hardest days of my life. (Yes, I realize I have lived a great life when getting cut from the varsity
baseball team is one of the lowest points of my life). As I made it into college and moved to
San Diego, taking my love of the Atlanta Braves with me, I was able to see the great Tony Gwyn
before he retired.

I continued to advance my life, and baseball still remained. Soon I would meet my wife,
an Angels fan herself, and baseball bound us. Baseball reminded me of what was good in my
life and worth treasuring.

Another great baseball memory is playing catch with my dad, my own personal pitching
coach, and as I advanced in baseball he always kept me grounded. We had our own language,
which if I couldn’t hear while I was in “the zone” on the mound, he would remind me by
standing up and demonstrating in the stands. Lift, Lever, Leg!

More than that, baseball can lift friendships to extraordinary and memorable heights.
I’ll never forget watching the 2004 Red Sox / Yankees playoff game and Dave Roberts, when
everyone in the stadium, everyone at home, and the greatest closer in baseball history
knew…stole second base. The Red Sox beating the Yankees was more than just that – it was for
everyone who feels that things are impossible. The one constant through all the years. Though
the Braves will always be my “we” team – I was captivated by the Padres this past season and
said I saw it coming after making my wife and I made our annual mecca to Peoria, AZ and
watched Wade LeBlanc 1-hit the Dodgers for six innings and win the game. Certainly signs of
greatness, right? I tried to will the Padres to the playoffs, tried to personally break the
devastating ten-game September losing streak, but in the end it just wasn’t enough. Which
when you think about, is okay. Because in baseball, you can always wait ‘til next year.