NEW YORK, NY – I spent this past weekend up in Cape Cod watching summer league baseball with some of my best and oldest friends. It was only a couple of days, but it was a great time filled with lots of laughs, great food, and, no shortage of story fodder for future get-togethers. In short, it was restorative. So, I came here today with the thought of writing something inspirational about the power of friendship and recognizing that people who know you best—the ones you let behind the curtain and see just how screwed up certain aspects of your life can be—are the ones who will always truly “get” you, know how to make you laugh, and be looking out for you. But I don’t have my thoughts together on that yet and, besides, you came here for sports. So, let me start by going back to The Cape for a sec.
Baseball by the Beach. Look, I’m not going to give you the entire history of the Cape Cod Baseball League, but I will say that my first visit impressed me. The level of play was pretty damn awesome. And college baseball with wooden bats…? Who says “no” to that? The price of admission is a suggested donation of 10 bucks or so, and you can bring as much of your own food and drink without getting hassled by anyone. The atmosphere is very family-friendly, with kids tearing all over the place trying to snag foul balls and, as one player from Alabama commented to us, “the crowds are far more respectful than what we encounter down South.” It’s a minor league atmosphere and a major league good time. If you ever get the chance, go on up and check it out.
Subway Series? It took my brother to remind me yesterday that the Mets and Yankees are playing each other (again) this week. (SPOILER ALERT: Mets won). My first, and really only, thought was: Great, now I gotta deal with these idiot fans heading up to get fully lubed hours before game time during my evening commute home. Thankfully it’s only two games. Two too many, if you ask me. I hear Luis Severino said the Yankees “only have two good hitters.” Pfft! That’s two more than are on my Mariners right now. I’d take one good hitter. Anyway, here’s where I leave some space for Management to mention what happened in last night’s game, for those who care.
CC Sabathia Hall of Famer? Before too long, they’ll be deciding which players will be inducted into Major League Baseball’s 2025 Hall of Fame class. Among the potential candidates are my guy Ichiro—a lead-pipe cinch first ballot HOFer—and CC Sabathia. I think Sabathia deserves to be in BUT, how do you put him in before Tommy John? I’ve brought this up before, but I can’t believe TJ still isn’t in Cooperstown. As it stands he has over 30 more career wins than CC, two more 20-win seasons, and one more career-saving surgery named after him. Oh, CC has one more Cy Young (1-0) but John’s career era is also lower. Both should be in, but what’s keeping Tommy John out?
Okay, that’s about it for me today. Take care of yourselves and come back tomorrow for Mr. Buddy Diaz, who is desperately asking to be traded off this site before deadline.
