Friends of Padre Steve’s World
The long and painful winter is now officially over and yesterday was opening day. Humphrey Bogart said, “That’s baseball, and it’s my game. Y’ know, you take your worries to the game, and you leave ’em there…”
I totally agree with that, sadly I don’t live in a major league city and I’ll be out of town when our Triple-A Baltimore Orioles affiliate opens its season on Thursday, but even so I am thrilled that baseball is back.
Amid all the craziness of the world, our totally insane political scene in the United States, the threats of war, terrorism, continued problems in the Middle East, the Korea Peninsula, not to mention the instability in the European Union which could affect a lot of political and economic issues, baseball is a calming influence in my life. I agree with Sharon Olds who wrote nearly thirty years ago, “Baseball is reassuring. It makes me feel as if the world is not going to blow up.”
Today I am wearing my San Francisco Giant’s hat, and an autographed replica Giants road jersey with the number 36 on it. The number belongs to Hall of Fame Pitcher Gaylord Perry, and it is signed by him. I grew up with the Giants as a kid, and Perry is interesting because not only is he in the Hall of Fame, but he admitted cheating, throwing the “spit ball” after it, and other forms of doctoring the baseball were banned. Since I teach ethics I love the irony, but then as they say, “those that can’t do, teach.”
As far as opening day, my two favorite teams, the Giants and the Baltimore Orioles both won. A good day all in all.
Until tomorrow,
Peace
Padre Steve+
The Inglorius Padre Steve's World 