Tuesday, June 15, 2010

I Wish I Was a Baseball Fan


Yesterday, one of my favorite bloggers, Salt, talked about her love of baseball. I read with envy as she spoke about her love for catching a game in her home state of Maryland. She doesn't care who wins or loses, she's in it for the good times.

Oh dear readers, I wish I cared about baseball. I was raised in a house of crazy Mets and Yankees fans, depending on what year we're talking. My maternal grandpa was a Yankees fanatic his entire life. My paternal grandma has become an obsessed Yankees fan in her later years. My aunts, uncles, cousins, everyone loves baseball.

As a little kid in the 1980s, I had a crush on Mets player, Ron Darling. I swear I did. I'd sometimes watch the games with my mom. I never actually paid attention to the game though. Instead, I'd day dream about Corey Feldman or what snack to fix. I wasn't actually "watching" the game.

Today, I still can't escape baseball. I married the #1 Yankees fan in the entire state of New Jersey. The Connecticut/New York/New Jersey tri-state folk often love the Yankees or Mets baseball teams. Unless you get too close to New England, then you're a Connecticut resident who loves the Boston Red Socks or if you live in South Jersey, too close to Philly, you love The Phillies.

Johnny Damon Yankees makeover: Cute rocker turned clean cut.


Why can't I somehow find it in me to fall in love like my family, husband, bloggers and the other wives of baseball fans? I've tried to develop crushes on Yankee players, but I was never really all that attracted to jocks, so the crushes fade faster than someone can steal home plate (wait, does that analogy even make sense?). I tried loving Johnny Damon, then he cut his hair to play for The Yankees. Now he's not even on the team.
Yankees Nick Swisher ... Sorta douchey looking, no?

I tried loving Nick Swisher. However, Nick Swisher kinda reminds me of one of those cocky jerks I'd encounter at a Long Island night club back in the day. Gripping a 50 cent Bud Light, he'd fumble his way over to me and spit out the following classic line, "Yo, 'eh, my friend wants your number, bah hah, NOTTTT!!!' then quickly run away bumping into people and spilling his cheap beer everywhere.

I long to some day join in the Facebook banter between high school alumni, relatives and friends who update their status minute to minute with the play by play. "Come on A-Rod, you can do it!" and "Nice play, Yanks 2, Tampa Bay 1! We can do this New York!"  Oh, and then there's my brother with his nonstop, "Who's your daddy? NEW YORK IS! DAT'S RIGHT!" 

Like Salt, I've been to games. What's my only favorite part about these games? The foot-long wieners outside the stadium and the $10 pretzel washed down with a $10 Diet Coke. I have yet to visit the new Yankee stadium, but always feared those steps. I remember feeling that way at Madison Square Garden and Giants Stadium concerts. There's something about sports arena staircases that make me feel as if I'm going to suddenly fall backward and land 50 feet below. Yeah, I know that's probably not even humanly possible. Chalk it up to one of my irrational fears. Whatever.

OK, so that's my story. I'm not down with baseball. I wish I was. I've tried many times to get into it, and just can't. The lingo bugs me and I'll never really mentally grasp it. I think I've asked my husband what an RBI is 100 times since we've met. As I'm typing this I still don't remember what it means. The radio announcer always says,  "And it's a "1-0" and I'm thinking, "What the hell is a 'one oh?'"

Counting down to November, only to do it all over again like four months later.





35 comments:

Anonymous said...

YEah that Yankee dude does look like a douche for sure...

I don't like baseball either...

Cheeseboy said...

Damon is a bit of a sell out, me thinks.

I'd love baseball a lot more if we had a major league team here in SLC. Alas, someday it will happen, in the meantime I will ignore it by and large.

Marlene said...

I was a Toronto Blue Jays fan back in the good ol' days when the Toronto Blue Jays won the World Series....and I lived near Toronto.

No real love for baseball here, either.

Jill said...

I love baseball, especially my St. Louis Cardinals. I just don't have the time to commit to watch all the games. I love it that my son will ask me questions about the game.

Ms. A said...

I know and understand the game, but have no love for it. Did like it more when my boys lived at home.

ScoMan said...

I think Baseball looks like a good sport, but it isn't televised at good times for people to watch it here.

I'm pretty sure you're not allowed to steal home though. You can steal any base except home.

Unknown said...

I am not a Baseball fan either. I was one. But once, I was done with Baseball coaching, I hated the sport.

Copyboy said...

I hear you. I'm probably the only long Island male that's not a huge baseball fan. Football I like. Baseball? meh. BTW...love your usage of douchey.

baygirl32 said...

douchey! love it.

April said...

Ah, yes, I read Salt's post too and thought the same thing. I've always been envious of die-hard sports fans (baseball, hockey, football). I grew up in a house of girls, and neither my parents nor my step-parents had any interest in sports.

1950s Atomic Ranch House said...

I don't understand armchair athletes, but I don't begrudge them their fun! However, I would never share the same space with one on a regular basis. Hate me! It's OK! lol...

LaraAnn said...

I used to like baseball in the 80's. My brother and I would watch or listen to the Yankees games and he's tease me about Mattingly. I can't believe I used to have a crush on him. I did think that Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez were kind of cute back then too. Dad took us to 2 games. We got there late for the 1983 one and the seats were high up - scary stairs. We were lucky and had pretty good seats for the 1987 game.

Jodi said...

I love baseball. I'm a Phillies fan from outside of Philly :) Grew up with it. But I can totally understand why some people wouldn't be into it. No worries :)

Thanks for the follow! I'm following you back now too :) I'm gonna go look for you on twitter now.

--Jodi
http://jodibee.blogspot.com

sara said...

I only managed to squeeze out a few months of baseball "love" for a crush of mine who was totally into it. I may have even bought a team hat. That was about 15 years ago. I'm still spent...

Sandy S. said...

I'm following you back from Follow Me Back Tuesday! Have a great day!

Sandy
http://suddenlysandy.com

Salt said...

It's definitely not for everyone. I grew up with my dad taking me to games at our old stadium back when my team actually didn't suck. And I guess it just sort of stuck with me. It really is more about a social thing though. Watching the game is fun, but beers and food and yelling with friends is better.

Really, I'm a die hard football fan. Just wait until August 21st. :)

You completely read my mind about Swisher. I wasn't even sure who he was until the other day. He's a good player and all, but yes. Definite mega-douche.

Thanks for the shout-outs, lady!! I'm honored!

Bossy Betty said...

Hi there!

Sorry I have been missing your posts! Someday I am going to figure out an organized way to get to all my favorite blogs.

I'm with you on the favorite part of BB! $10.00 Diet Cokes taste the best!

Joe Cap said...

yeah, I know how you feel. I was never a sports fan of any kind, so I can relate. But just think of how much money they make, maybe THAT will appeal to you???

TS Hendrik said...

Baseball bores the heck out of me. It's mildly entertaining to play, ok to sit and watch live, more for the experience than anything else. On TV though I rate it right up there with watching professional paint driers.

jenskie said...

hi! :) just came to follow you, from Follow me back Tuesday... have a lovely day!

-jenskie
http://jennyescano.blogspot.com

Sadako said...

I wish I were into *any* sport. It would make life easier in so many ways!

Heather Taylor said...

I'm trying to get into baseball, but it's tough. Where I live, you kind of must love the Dodgers or else (oh the joys of LA). I went to their game the other night where they played against my home city, the Saint Louis Cardinals. If I liked baseball more, this would be a problem. But I never liked the Cardinals so that evening I felt the swift conversion to the Dodgers as orchestrated by Manny Ramirez (who reminds me of a heavier Lil Jon) and the free bobblehead doll.
Deep down, I harbor a secret desire to see the following:
1) Lakers game
2) The French Open (especially if Roger Federer is involved)

Unknown said...

Hi Im a new follwer from FMBT! Thanks for visiting mine☺ I love your blog!! Very unique!

OK hopping to the next blog ¸.•..¸.•*¨)♥ ¸.•*¨)♥(¸.•.. (¸.•.. .•.. ¸¸.•¨¯..• . . * * * . * .*.

Unknown said...

Hi Im a new follwer from FMBT! Thanks for visiting mine☺ I love your blog!! Very unique!

OK hopping to the next blog ¸.•..¸.•*¨)♥ ¸.•*¨)♥(¸.•.. (¸.•.. .•.. ¸¸.•¨¯..• . . * * * . * .*.

Social Media Junkie said...

Thanks for linking with us for FMBT. I am now following you back. Have a great week !!
Staycee ( Survey Junkie )

Maggi said...

I tried to watch baseball as a kid, I could never understand how anyone could win if they were all so good at it. lol

Katie's Dailies said...

I had a HUGE crush on George Brett back when I was little. Thought he was the cutest thing since sliced bread!

mamahasspoken said...

The only thing good about baseball is the beer and peanuts, but then I get them at any bar.....

Kristie said...

Girlfriend, I can't stand baseball either. I think it is so freakin boring and its usually a heat fest in Dallas anyways so I'm not on board with going to the games even for a free hot dog on Hot Dog Day. Not my cup of tea.

Joann Mannix said...

That guy totally looks like a Long Island douchebag.

I am with you, Ally. I have 3 older brothers, sports fanatics and all I cared about was the cute athletes they brought to the house, not their actual sport, just them.

Thank Goodness I had all girls. I definitely go to any game whatever it might be, for the spirits and pretzels and that's it.

The mad woman behind the blog said...

I fell in love with baseball when I met my husband and he played on a rec league. These guys he played with (for 7 years!) were awesome. Just a bunch of dudes. And then I started paying attention to the game (and all the cute players.)
My boss has met Nick Swisher and liked him.
Oh, and (before I met the hubs) I slept with a pitcher from the Anaheim Angels. HOT! So yeah, it's all about the boys!

Tracie said...

I have that same irrational fear! I'm not a baseball fan either. Actually, I'm not a fan of any sport.

Karen said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog...following you back!

Karen @ karen-musingsofamom.blogspot.com

Teachinfourth said...

Cards or Mariners…

Enough said.

Anonymous said...

Salt is one of my favorite bloggers too. Baseball is ok, but I'd rather watch football.

I'm stopping by from SITS to welcome you to the group.

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