TIME TO MUSE

I have always been one who stays up-to-date on current events, when I miss the news I for a day I feel deprived. Lately, however, I have been giving the news of the day no more than a cursory glance. I don't know if I am burning out or if I am just taking a break. It seems that so many people who immerse themselves in news make grumbling about the state of affairs in/on/for whatever topic have forgotten how to smile and enjoy life. Of course I am generalizing.

As a news hound who spent a year as a major part of a successful campaign for U.S. Congress (Press Secretary) in 1994 I was well-versed on all the issues and I loved it. It seems though, a break to the sports page is a perfect diversion. I see on the news that protesters are again out in force at the site of the G-8 summit. Even a news junkie like me has little idea of what it is that makes them so angry. Perhaps I missed it while I was watching the NBA finals or while I was wondering if Scott Rolen of the Cards would come back strong after his injury.

I'm not sure if I should envy the multitudes who make every news story a part of their very being day after day and week after week or if I should pity them because they never experience the joy of grabbing the morning paper, pulling out the sports page and turning to the box scores while they are still "crackling fresh" and unspoiled by having to lay in wait while the "important" front page stuff is digested.

Today is a good day to revel in the fact that we live in a country where the issues are not so pressing that they cannot be ignored. We should, however, be cognizant of the fact that we are lucky and priviledged to be a part of the greatest country on God's green earth and proudly fly the flag in appreciation of our circumstance. We also need to honor those who gave so much and to those who continue to give so that we may enjoy our freedom.

Baseball And More!

I am still at home in Boise and I am loving it! The constant travel for my wacky job has gotten to be a bit much. I should, however, be shipping out sometime next week. I am reminded of how easy it was to deliver a weather forecast around here in the summer, which I did as a radio guy for many years. " Sunny and hot with highs in the 90's and lows in the 60's." That's it!
The lawn guy I have has been doing a great job mowing, but there have been many lawn and yard related chores that I have been catching up on. I have also been riding my bicycle regularly on the greenbelt along the river.
Being the baseball fan that I am, I have a few observations on the first half of the season. My favorite team, the St. Louis Cardinals seem to be a lock to win their division. Houston is getting hot, but I don't think they will catch the Cards. In the NL East, I know it is close and the Washington Nats are a huge surprise, but I'm going with the Braves who have taken that division for the last 13 years! In the NL West I like the Padres. Look for the Wild-Card to come out of the East, probably Washington.
In the AL the White Sox seem to be the team to beat. I love the Twins, but they have fallen too far behind. They should get the Wild Card. In the West, I like both the Rangers and the Angels. However, the turmoil caused by the Kenny Rogers absurdity and a suspect bullpen will probably doom Texas. In the East, the Birds are finally coming back to the pack, something I thought the White Sox would have done by now in the Central. Don't count out the Yankees, but I like either the Red Sox or Baltimore to win that division.
We get the Mariner games on cable here and I have seen a lot of them since I got home. As much as I like Brett Boone who damn near won the MVP in 2001, the decision to release him was probably a good one. He just isn't getting it done at the plate even though his fielding is still terrific. Perhaps a change of scenery will help him out. I'm thinking too, that perhaps he and Mike Hargrove didn't hit it off. In fact, I'm thinking Hargrove will be out as manager after this season. Last season's manager, Bob Melvin was superb, letting him go was a major Mariner mistake. I predict that he will excel in a new environment and I am shocked that he wasn't hired by Arizona in the off-season.