April is seven months and one day away. That is approximately 210 short days until the 2011 baseball season starts.
See, a bad baseball season can put a fan in a rut just like a bad job in the office, a bad relationship, a tough friendship, etc. Being in a rut has many causes, and it has many symptoms. One of these is thinking you know exactly what is going to happen. But the problem is that no one knows what is going to happen. Not even Miss Cleo. I didn’t go to Wrigley Field last night because I thought I knew what was going to happen. I hadn’t even paid attention all weekend because I thought I knew what was going to happen. Do you know they honored Andre Dawson last night? The Hawk was my favorite player growing up as a kid. I have too many Dawson baseball cards to count. I missed the Cubs honoring arguably my favorite player ever because of my rut. This is the rut of a jaded and cynical baseball fan.
Do you know what also happened? The Cubs scored 13 runs in the first six innings. Not that it matters for the season’s outcome, but that kind of offense is downright fun to watch in person. And where was I? Watching “Two and Half Men” and “The Big Bang Theory.”
I watched Andre Dawson sing “The Stretch” on TV instead of in person because I thought I knew what was going to happen. I don’t know how to ground myself, especially as an adult, but I think I should.
I was punished for thinking I knew the future.
Do you see my point? I don’t know the future. You don’t know the future. And Miss Cleo certainly doesn’t know the future, or else she would have kept herself of the slammer.
The next seven months will be pivotal for this baseball team. Many transactions will take place … moves will be made, free agents signed, trades consummated, etc. As it does every year, the hot stove will burn bright throughout the winter.
And for every pessimist, cynic, know-it-all, and “omniscient one” out there who thinks he or she knows what will happen … you do not.
We hoped Starlin Castro would be good, but we didn’t know he would be this good. I did not see Tyler Colvin hitting 20+ homeruns. It appears these two guys might be around for the foreseeable future. Marlon Byrd is a great clubhouse guy. DeWitt has been a nice, slightly above-average addition. Aram will be back.
However, there are many roles to fill.
Will Lilly come back?
Is Cliff Lee a target?
Who is going to play first base?
Will Marlon Byrd’s sentiments impact the decision-makers?
What is the strategy going to be? Rebuilding? Or will they throw money at the problem … again?
Hendry, Bush, Ricketts, etc. will meet soon after the season and formulate a plan. I imagine they will discuss who the new manager should be as well. At least, I hope that topic comes up in their discussion.
There is going to be a run on first basemen after the 2011 season. Are the Cubs putting the 2010 job on the market as a temp position, or will they be looking to sign someone to a multi-year contract?
I missed an offensive explosion because I thought I couldn’t stand one more bad baseball game. In the process, I missed a childhood idol get honored at Wrigley Field because I thought I knew what was going to happen. I missed out on a great night because I was a know-it-all.
Now is not the time to write off the 2011 season because you think you know what will happen.
No one saw 1984 or 1989 coming …
Maybe 2011 will fall into that category.
And then again, maybe it won’t.
But you know what … I just don’t know …
Until next time …
Stay Classy Hawk!!