Passionless Puzzle
by meercatjohn on Mar 3, 2010 5:41 PM PST
in TCWCITTBW
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Jon Weisman has a a new column up in which he voices these thoughts
Deep into winter, I start to wonder whether the next year of baseball will bring the same passion for me as the previous one. I find I'm not missing the game all that much. And when I start to think about how much time I spend devoted to the game, I sort of shake my head. The McCourt soap opera didn't exactly help in this respect.
Man I can relate. Just about two years ago I wrote what I consider my best column about the need I had for the baseball season to begin, but I'm just not feeling it right now. I'm plugging away here but the magic I used to feel for spring training is not happening. I'm ready to skip this whole process and get right to the season which is quite unusual for me. In the past I'd sometimes enjoy spring training more then the real season.
I always figured my passion for the game was bigger then the normal fan and that it would stay with me forever. Then I think back to how the Lakers were my biggest passion, how my favorite spectator moment was being in Staples to witness the incredible comeback in game seven against the Trailblazers, how I walked out of that place on a natural high I've rarely felt in my life. Yet, less then a decade later I couldn't care less about the team.
From 1970 - 1980 the Rams were part of my sports trifecta (Rams, Dodgers, Lakers) and football continued to be a huge part of my life until about 1995. Now I rarely watch a game and you could not drag me to a pro football game.
I played some kind of baseball from that age of 7 until 47. From the age of 26 - 30 I played softball around 3 - 4 times a week. Then I cut back to two games a week, Then to one game a week, finally I simply stopped playing several years ago. I don't miss it a bit.
Is that my destiny? Will the Dodgers eventually become something I've left behind?
Or will the sweet sound of sphere meeting wood erase all those doubts just as they have in the past? Maybe I just haven't heard Vinny yet this year proclaim "It is time for Dodger Baseball".
God, I hope so
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I think perhaps the regular season (especially spring training) can seem like a bit of an exercise after two straight NLCS playoff losses.
I liken it to what I think many Laker fans can relate to. After winning the championship, expectations are so high, and the playoffs are so much more exciting, that it can be hard to get as excited for regular season games. Especially at the start of the season.
All that being said, I’m pretty excited about this season, and can’t wait to watch Friday’s game.
You may have something there
We know we are going to be good, I’ m already ready to find out how good. Just plug in DeWitt at 2nd, McDonald in the rotation and let’s roll.
Exactly What I Was Going to Say
as a Lakers fan, the season doesn’t really start for me until May – with a few pre-season games against Cleveland/Boston/Denver/San Antonio – whoever is good that year.
Dylan Hernandez just tweeted:
The Dodgers have agreed to a minor-league deal with Garret Anderson.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I honestly didn't see that coming...
Does Garret qualify as a “Ned” guy? Seems like Eyechart or Giles would edge Garret in that category, so you must be right. Those two must really be gimping around.
So into all about the Dodgers ...
“til the eve of last year’s first playoff game
Now I’ll enjoy the fun times, but the fire is gone.
Someday, things may clear up for the team
my fanatic following may have passed on though
We’ll see
I imagine something will trigger it, whether it is Vin or the sounds of baseball (when you set foot in Camelback this spring?), as you suggested, or something else. Perhaps just the right news report, or a particular play caught in a TV broadcast, or entering DS for your first game this year. Like you, I pay little attention to the NFL any more, but something about baseball always draws us back.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
New to the site
Is it possible that all the focus on frustrations wear us all down? I’m new to the site and feel the emotional swings like it appears many do, but I feel sometimes we get so focused on what we think will be a missed opportunity because of “the management” we lose our excitement. I especially feel for the guys that run this site and others because it probably feels overwhelming at times. I love the dodgers, always will, and the next “bobble night” moment will remind us that we all do.
by SLC DODGER FAN on Mar 3, 2010 7:35 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Passion
I was a big NBA fan 10 years ago, and I haven’t watched a game since Jordan retired. I was a big NFL fan 5 years ago, and I didn’t even watch the Superbowl this year. I doubt baseball is next, but who knows.
Historically, I have enjoyed sports as much as anyone, but sports are becoming too emphasized in our culture. I know countless kids who are burned out before they reach high school.
New story up top
picked the wrong time to go to the gym I guess
http://www.truebluela.com/2010/3/3/1284771/dodgers-sign-garret-anderson-to
Maybe it's the same old same old...
With few positions up for grabs and virtually the same team as last year maybe it’s just not as exciting this spring. Last year Manny and Hudson signed late, Furcal almost went to the Braves, Billingsley broke his leg and they found a way to get rid of Andruw. This year I’m just waiting for opening day and wondering if Andre, Kemp and Kershaw can put on even better performances than last year.
I can echo much of the sentiment on both sides
I was very excited about last year, but this year, I’m just ready to get it rolling. I’m probably more excited than usual given my basketball teams (Indiana & Indiana) being dreadful and nearly unwatchable, but we’re not going into the unknown like we were last year. We know what this team has, we know what they’re capable of, and I hope I’m wrong about their ceiling, but we’re not going to know that until October (assuming we’re there).
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