Getting Ready for Spring Training 2005

Well, it's the 6th of March already, and I've already read about some Spring Training games, who's there, who's not, who's doing OK, who's not. It's the "Rites of Spring", and it's not even Spring yet. This year, my first Spring Training ticket is for the 10th of March. Another four days. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays vs. the Cleveland Indians at Al Lang Stadium. I'm anxiously awaiting that game next Thursday. There will be more games at the end of the month with Dave. Actually I don't care about the games at all. It's early in the Spring Training season, so the games mean absolutely nothing. The only thing that means something to me is that there are games here that I can see. This has been a particularly tough winter. The Yankees lost to the Red Sox in the playoffs, and then the Red Sox went on to win the World Series. And then the Red Sox went on to win the World Series. And then the Red Sox went on to win the World Series. Something about that just doesn't seem right. But whatever the cause, it happened. They had an 86 year drought. Well OK, that's fine, but more importantly, the Yankees haven't won a World Series since the year 2000. That's a five year drought. Ridiculous. For Yankee fans the world over, that's just not acceptable.

Happily, the Yankee's owner, the world over, is equally annoyed by this. George Steinbrenner is busily obtaining new talent and old talent alike to put an end to this hideously long Red Sox streak. It's about time.

Spring training in the Tampa Bay area is a reawakening. Walking into the parks to see a game in the spring is rejuvinating. Getting there early to see the batting practice, see the perfect grass, watch the pitchers, watch the grounds keepers, talk to other fans (fanatics), sample the beers, get some hot dogs...

Tell me again why I shouldn't like this.