Are You Ready for Some Baseball?

Jess: It’s about time that I write about something fun. So let’s talk about baseball.

I love baseball. If I were only allowed to watch one sport for the rest of my life, it would absolutely be America’s pastime. Here’s why: baseball is awesome. There are clear cut, easy to follow rules, unlike some other sports (*cough* football). It’s not violent, it’s not people running back and forth across a small space, and the season is half of the freaking year!

I would love to buy season tickets and go to baseball three days of every week from March till October, but Wes said we have to be able to pay our car bill. Yeah, now we know the wet blanket in the family. There’s really nothing as fun as having some junk food, a giant soda, and some cotton candy while watching baseball.

So here we are in postseason and the Rangers have made it to the ALCS for the second year in a row. Last year, they did this thing where they sort of won, then really lost, then had to catch up to make it through the division and league series. This year, we basically blew through the Rays, even though they were on a huge high after beating out Boston for the Wild Card slot. Now, we’re up against Detroit, not (thank goodness) the Yankees for the second year in a row.

Nothing makes me happier than finally watching a team that wins. The Rangers were disappointing for almost as long as I can remember, and literally never went to the World Series until last year. There is something wonderful about watching your loser of a team make it to the biggest game in baseball, even if they did lose. Now that we’ve been there, though, there is a sense that we HAVE to make it back this year and win. I’m not sure if I agree, but I’m pretty excited about the direction we’re going.

“What the heck does baseball have to do with the Metheran life, Jessica?” Well, it depends on how you ask. Right now, Wes and I spend a ton of time talking about and watching baseball, so it’s kind of taking over our lives—mine more than his, but I appreciate his support.

But more than that, baseball is a nice reminder that life is not under my control. No matter how much I scream at the TV screen, cheer on FB, or talk up my team, ultimately, winning is up to their ability to work together as a team and beat their opponents. As a fan, I try to remember this, so that I don’t get depressed if my team loses, and I don’t rub it in anyone else’s face when they win. Life is the same. I can make my plans, I can scream and cheer and laugh and cry, but there are some things that are just out of my control. I have to remember that God is in control. God holds me and my life in God’s hands, and God will always be with me, even when the Rangers lose. Amen.

Wes: So, here's the deal. I'm a Houston Astros fan. That's been a hard thing to be since... Well, since I graduated from high school. And even then, being a 'stros supporter usually meant more heartache than joy. But I was always taught that you stuck with it. There's no reason to be a fan if you're just going to jump on another team's wagon during a dry spell. So, that's what I've done. I've watched the games, traveled down to see them live a few times, and dealt with the disappointment of the recent years. And I will continue to always be an Astros fan. Even after they retired or traded off the Killer Bees, I stayed strong. Even after my favorite player was traded to the Yankees (a cardinal sin, by the way... WHICH IS FUNNY BECAUSE NOW HE'S A CARDINAL!), I was loyal through and through. 

But I was also taught from a young age that you always support the Texas team. You can have your personal preference and loyalty, but your second loyalty is always to the state. That is why even though I'm a Dallas Cowboys fan, I still want the Texans to do well, and even though I'm a UT fan, I still cheer on the Aggies. So when I'm not rooting for the 'stros, I'm rooting for the Rangers. So I'm happy that the Rangers are doing so well, because they are Texans and should be supported. 

And no, this isn't at all jumping on the bandwagon. It's just the Texas mentality.

So I've really enjoyed watching the post-season these last two years. And the thing with which I've been extremely impressed isn't just Nelson Cruz's olympian-like prowess with the bat; it's the camaraderie shown between all of the players. 

And I mean all of the players. 

Last night, while one of the Rangers was at bat, a somewhat wild third strike ended with him able to beat the throw to first. This was the last inning, and things were stressful as we all wondered whether or not Cruz was going to be able to get up and seal another game by knocking the laces off the ball. But as the camera zoomed in on first base, you didn't see tension or anger or even determination on the face of the runner or the first baseman. Instead, you saw them joking around with each other; laughing and patting each other on the back. 

It reminded me of the Giants-Eagles game a couple weeks' ago where a fight broke out because a player on one side bro-hugged a player on the other side. 

I am astounded by the sportsmanship of so many of the professional players right now. I've seen the opposite happen so much in different sports that it is actually surprising when I see people being not only polite but friendly with each other. It gives me hope for the game and the world. 

We still have a long way to go before the world is perfect, but the game of baseball shows me that forward motion is still happening. Praise God for baseball. 

Also please pray to God about the Astros.

Well, that's all for this week. You stay classy, World Wide Web!

-wes and jess