Baseball is America

With today being Memorial Day, baseball is again turned to help celebrate our veterans. First, I want to personally thank every man and woman who has ever served our country to protect our freedom. You are the real MVPs. Baseball is more than the nation's pastime, baseball is America.

Our country has taken its fair share of hits throughout history, but since the Civil War, baseball has always been there. Baseball has always been counted on to supply an escape to the world's problems. There's something about walking through the turnstiles, emerging from the concourse, and seeing the beautiful, well kept field that gives one hope that better things are to come. Baseball was there during the Great Depression, when stars like Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, and Hornsby put on a show for the fans to remember. Baseball was there during World War II, even if it did mean having women play. Yes Tom Hanks, there is no crying in baseball. Superstars through many decades have often served their country, even losing years in their prime to do so. Imagine how good Ted Williams, Stan Musial, and countless others would have been if not for World War II taking away star seasons. They did this knowing that country outweighs a game.

September 21, 2001. 10 days after 9/11. The nation is still in shock of the horrors that occured on that Tuesday morning. Tonight, the Braves and the Mets play the first game of any major sports league since that day. Bitter rivals come together knowing that this game means a lot more than the other 161 they will play. The Mets won 3 to 2 on a Mike Piazza home run in the 8th inning. http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=3218879. Goosebumps. The city of New York has hope as a silly little game makes people forget about the events for three hours. That's what baseball is all about. Hope. Whether a minor league player hoping to make it to the show or a fan attending a July game. Baseball provides hope for those involved. How can you not be romantic about baseball?

So as you watch baseball on this Monday, think of the men and women who are/ have served our country and the sacrifices they make to keep us free. None of this would be possible without them. So as a proud member of Cardinal Nation I say, this one's for you.