Shouldn't This Be Next?


The Super Bowl is over; the post-game buzz has already faded. Because the NFL gives out its awards before its big game, there's no talk of Players of the Year. And since free agency doesn't begin for nearly a month, you won't hear much speculation over big contracts or players changing teams.

By mid-week after a Super Bowl baseball begins washing across sports sections in print or online. Stories about good weather, intriguing prospects and hoped-for bounceback candidates are the order of the day IN A NORMAL YEAR.

Look at the above photo: it's from the Yankees 2016 spring training visit to the Mets in Port Saint Lucie. There's a then-unknown Aaron Judge in the batting cage -- four months before he'd make his Bronx debut. Above and behind, a fan snaps a picture, wondering if this kid would ever graduate to the big leagues. That's what the weeks after football ought to be.

Now, below: Mets pitcher Josh Smoker signing autographs for the kids, the future fans. Crafting the one-on-one memory you won't get from a video game.


But in 2022, who knows? Stalled negotiations, owners and players miles apart in their stances. Jaded fans, cynical media members... in other words, an ugly spiral.

Is baseball giving up its place as the sport of optimism, with dreams of better weather and an upcoming season full of promise replaced by two sets of lawyers arguing over money and influence?

Are precious opportunities being lost?

Comments

SuzyQ said…
Yes to answer your question. We don’t yet know who the superstars of the future are. However, this lockout is appalling. I really don’t think the owners or the players really care at this point. The only thing that will move them is if they start losing money. Forget about integrity and love of the game. I may sound cynical but I believe the only time they will move is if affects their bank account. So far neither side is feeling it, but trust me they will and by then it may be too late to save the season.
February 16, 2022 at 1:45 PM
Anonymous said…
Yes, precious opportunities are being lost. Apparently they're not preciou$ enough to matter.
February 16, 2022 at 2:47 PM
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