Marking Time to Spring and Warm

Today, I am taking a break from writing a political commentary, even though there are so many issues I could comment on. As much as you, sometimes I need a break from the subjects which have made us a polarized society and country.

In addition, today is the Big Day, the mid-winter classic, the game thirty-two teams looked to play in back in July when they assembled for training camp, in the heat of the summer. The Super Bowl is down to two, the upstart Atlanta Falcons and the perennial contestant, the New England Patriots. 

And yet, even as a die-hard football fan, while I will be watching, (as a Jets fan, I am rooting against the Patriots, although they will win, 27-24, late) I am not writing about this either. 

Instead, I am writing about one of my markers which gets me through the winter, Pitchers and Catchers. Ah, yes, a marker which marks time to warmer weather, leaves on trees and no snow or cold to deal with.

A week from today, my Mets are expected to report to Port Saint Lucie, their winter home, where the palm trees blow and the expectations are so exciting. Can't you just feel it? 

I know that many of you are not Mets fans, and that's just fine with me. But you are just as excited for your team, whether they train in Scottsdale, Tampa, West Palm Beach or Fort Myers. And you can feel the sensation of the warm, even if only inside you, as you think about Spring Training. Go ahead, admit it.

The truck carrying all the equipment, uniforms and other supplies left Citifield on Friday, to a big fanfare, as many loyal fans of the Orange and Blue assembled at the ballpark to see it off. It is such an exciting event, with players, coaches and management all present for the big sendoff. And everyone was talking about the big expectations we all have for our beloved Amazin's for this season and the seasons to come.

Resigning Cespedes and Walker and Salas and Blevins were key moves made by the team to ensure a return to the playoffs and of course, to the World Series. Even the moves not made will be pluses. But there are no guarantees; on paper they will contend, but the reality is that the games must be played and won.

That, too, is the excitement of this week, knowing that in seven days, that marker leads to the next one, which is Daylight Savings and then the next, which is Opening Day. It is all just so perfect how quickly winter disappears after Christmas as we mark time to warm weather.

So, today as you go to your Super Bowl party, eating the cool foods you would NEVER ingest at any other time, drinking your favorite beverage, whether a soft drink or hard, celebrating the Other Day that ALL Americans cherish, like Thanksgiving, just remember that the cold is almost gone. Soon enough, there will be beaches and picnics and long summer nights to enjoy. 

Finally, just remember what Garret Morris, aka Chico Escuela, used to say back in the day: "Baseball has been very, very good to me." And yes, it is still our National Pastime. 

Because a week from today, Pitchers and Catchers will report to camp.