The Rite of Spring

As many of you know, I am a die-hard long-suffering New York Mets fan and have been since April 11, 1962. On that day, the Mets lost to the St Louis Cardinals 11-4, even though the Mets’ first baseman Gil Hodges hit a home run in St Louis.

The reason I bring this up?  The Mets supply truck left on Thursday from Citifield for the warm and sunny climate of Port St Lucie, Florida to begin their 53rd season in their quest of the pennant and possibly a trip to the World Series.

The nice thing is that this act by the Mets, which is the same act performed by the other 29 teams, sets the scene for spring training, followed by the reality of the regular season. Pitchers and catchers for all teams are required to report this week, in which the date is determined by the powers that be for each team. For my Mets, that day is this Saturday, February 15, 2014.

Some players are already in St Lucie and other complexes throughout Florida and Arizona. The reasons are many; some players are there to get a head start on rehabilitation due to season-ending injuries from last year; others are there because they are dedicated and feel the extra weeks will be beneficial to improve last year's performance.

At this point, while teams have mandatory report dates, most players are there or will be there within the next ten days. Exhibition games begin within the next couple of weeks. Unlike the players of yesteryear, today's players are in training all year long. There is no time to get lazy and gain unneeded pounds only to work harder lose it before the final cuts, the day before that hallowed day of days, the Holy Day of Obligation of baseball, Opening Day. For the Mets and the Washington Nationals, that

English: Tradition Field - Spring Training Home of the NY Mets - Port St. Lucie, FL (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

day will be March 31 at Citifield.

So, this rite of spring brings promise of a new season and new opportunity to have your team still be playing on October 20, in the World Series. That's what all this preparation, all the sweat, all the wind sprints, all those split squad games in March are about, to get to the World Series. The Boston Red Sox after having a history of winning its last World Series since 1918 have won three since 2004, most recently in 2013.

Their long-time nemesis, the New York Yankees, who won 26 championships up to year 2000, have won only one since. My Mets, of course, have won two since their inception, came close in 2006 and have been at or near the bottom of their division since then. Now, for the Cubs, the poor fans of this storied franchise haven't seen a World Series since 1908, a very long time ago.

Of course today, as you read this, everyone is 0-0 and it is a long time until October. That's why true fans believe anything can happen between skill and luck to help their teams to the big prize. All 162 games are actually played even though the "experts" make their predictions based on trades, free agency results and gut feelings or wishes.

So, today and this week as your team's truck is making its way south or southwest remember that hope "springs" eternal during spring training. Your team has as much a chance to play in September for that pennant as mine does today.

Start thinking "warm" this week because supply trucks are rolling, pitchers and catchers are reporting and the hot stove is being shut down for another season. These are the rites of spring, the ones that turn the page from winter to spring in February.

Get ready to "Play Ball!"