Baseball Forever

With college football and NFL in the rearview mirror, it’s time to focus on America’s past time, my sports love…baseball! As many of you know, my favorite team is the Atlanta Braves, and it all began at an early age.

Playing ball in the back yard with my brothers when I was around 10 years old started my love for baseball. I have cerebral palsy and could only use one arm when playing. I would look up to pitcher Jim Abbott during those times as I was a kid playing ball, and well as watching him play for the Angels and Yankees. Around that same time frame, since we lived in south Georgia, the Atlanta Braves would come on the TBS Superstation. I would watch like it was a religion, first the Andy Griffith show would come on the tube 30 minutes before the game, no pregame Braves coverage. Goes from Any Griffith directly into the game. Those famous words by Skip Carey, “Good evening Braves fans and welcome to another night of Braves baseball,” along the iconic TBS logo…I miss those days, even though the Braves were bad pre 1991, of course.

As we move into the 2025 season that is just around the corner, spring training as already begun in North Port, Fl, I have that feeling again that I can’t wait for first pitch of the regular season, which will also usher in warmer weather.

As like years past, the Braves are a good favorite to will the NL East, and the power rankings listed the Braves second best in the National League behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. The reigning NL East champions Philadelphia Phillies are still a good team and will give the Braves a good fight this year. The NY Mets are a better team as well. I think all three of those teams have a shot to be NL East champions in 2025.

Wether it is catching a game winner pop fly in centerfield (for the Reds) as a 10 year old or a year later with the Bombers, with the count 3-2, 2 outs in the bottom of the sixth (last inning) and my team down one run. Sorry, can’t remember the score. But yours truly steps to the plate for that last pitch…line drive down the left field line, runners on second and third and both score. The feeling being 11 years old and that happening is priceless.

I could never get past high school ball because my swing just couldn’t keep up with the pitching. Playing outfield or 1st base was never an issue, it was the batting for me. Baseball is forever king in my books. Being able to take my family and three small daughters to a Braves game brings me more joy than seeing the Braves win.

For me it is Baseball forever…forever Baseball!

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