This article was published in the April issue of The Hoof Print, which is the school newspaper at Alamo Heights High School.
“People ask me what I do in the winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.”
No wiser words have ever been spoken than these from Hall of Fame 2nd Baseman Rogers Hornsby. It truly captures the pain baseball fans feel during the long, dreary winter months without baseball. Luckily, the sun is out, skies are blue again and it’s time to play ball!
Baseball season began a few days earlier than usual this year, as Opening Day was on March 29 rather than in early April. Any extra days with baseball are greatly appreciated. For the next seven months, there will be baseball almost every single day. You simply cannot ask for a better situation. Unlike other sports, which primarily occur during the school year, the heart of baseball season takes place in the summer, allowing fans to enjoy the ups and downs of the 162 game season without the stress of homework and deadlines.
For six straight summers, my family and I have planned our summers around baseball. In 2012, we embarked on our first ever road trip to see my favorite team, the Baltimore Orioles, and along the way we stopped to see the Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves. Visiting those four ballparks changed my family’s life forever, because when we got back from that road trip, all I wanted to do was get right back on the road. That’s exactly what we did the very next summer.
The following year we took on an even bigger adventure; we planned a trip to the Midwestern states of the U.S. that included eight Major League games in seven different cities. Although we had driven to Baltimore and visited other ballparks the year before, this was the first time we planned a trip with the intention of seeing multiple stadiums. I took charge of the planning, which is arguably the most difficult but enjoyable part of the trip. Planning for a baseball road trip is unlike planning for any other trip because we don’t dictate the schedule; the teams do. Because we wanted to watch so many games in different cities, the teams not only had to be playing home games but also had to be at home at specific times for us to be able to see them. Since we were driving we had more flexibility, but we still had to follow a reasonable route. It took very careful organizing and a little luck to make sure we could get to games on time. For example, on this trip, we had to get from Kansas City to St. Louis and from St. Louis to Chicago within four days to watch three games. In between the games and the driving, we of course wanted to explore the cities, so we needed to be smart and efficient with our time. It’s quite the task, but it’s what I live for.
Six years after we took off for Baltimore, I have now seen 29 of 30 Major League baseball stadiums. The only stadium left is Safeco Field in Seattle, which we plan on visiting this summer. From the majestic views of the Bay at AT&T Park in San Francisco to crossing the Roberto Clemente Bridge while arriving at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, we’ve seen and done some incredible things while road-tripping across the country. The adventures I’ve experienced with my family have been truly unforgettable, and it’s all been thanks to the great game of baseball.
This upcoming season promises to be full of drama and excitement after one of the more controversial off-seasons in recent history. Free agents held out for a long time before signing, with many not signing until after Spring Training had already begun. The lack of signings led to questions about why the free agent market was so slow. Had owners lost the desire to spend big on long contracts? Were player expectations too high? Or was this the beginning of long term issues in Major League Baseball that will have consequences on the future? Regardless of what it was, most players did end up finding a home, and it will be interesting to see how some of those contracts work out.
The Houston Astros are coming off their first ever World Series Championship, and they look even stronger this year. They won’t have it easy, however, as the New York Yankees, as they always do, made a big splash and acquired Slugger Giancarlo Stanton from the Miami Marlins to hit alongside Home Run Derby Champion Aaron Judge. The Los Angeles Angels made one of the biggest acquisitions, signing Two-Way Sensation Shohei Ohtani, who will come over from Japan as an elite hitter and pitcher. They’ll look to compete with the Astros in the American League West.
In the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers hope to return to the World Series after losing in a heartbreaking game seven to the Astros. The Chicago Cubs lost their Ace Pitcher Jake Arrieta, but they still have a strong team to compete. The Milwaukee Brewers have a highly improved team, and I believe they can steal the division from the Cubs in a weakened National League Central.
Whether it’s catching a San Antonio Missions game on Dollar Hot Dog Night or riding the subway to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, being at a ballgame is a great way to spend time with family. With spring finally here, make sure to honor Rogers Hornsby and watch America’s Pastime.