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| According to Eugene Thacker on Lithub, these are the patron saints of pessimism: Philipp Mainländer, Emil Cioran, Michel de Montaigne, and Friedrich Nietzsche |
I'm truly trying to laugh more at those who head up the Pandemic Pessimism Panel (PPP), including a few writers, columnists and, well, just others.
Sometimes my patience can get tested. You try to engage in dialogue and then find your thoughts have been deleted.
OK, game on...or off, in that I'm just done with you at that point.
We're eight days shy of a full month of baseball season.
Some -- many -- said it would be done a week in.
Then the Marlins happened. "We're doomed," was the cry.
Nope. Still playing.
Then the Cardinals happened. "It's over," was heard.
Nope. Still playing.
Today, a member of the Reds organization tested positive. Nobody else did but their series with the Pirates has been halted.
And yet? They'll all be back.
It's ridiculous, but the Cardinals traveled in 41 rental cars to begin the process of trying to play 53 games in 44 days. You wanted to go to a casino? You wanted to ignore the protocols? Now you pay.
And you play.
Game back on.
Further, spare me the "asterisk" crap. This season -- same for the NHL, NBA, and anyone else -- counts all the same.
If you win, you're the champion. The PPP will continue to try to tear it down, but these are strange times. The ring was still be big and gaudy.
Not playing was never an option for the pros.
It's
A
Business.
Yes, there could be strange anomalies, like a player hitting .400, and we'll have to figure out how to handle that. But there really was never an asterisk on Roger Maris hitting those 61 big flies in 1961.
Did MLB have a plan? It's completely fair to say no. Did you have a plan for everything this year? It's completely accurate to say no, once COVID came along.
That's not to defend MLB or Rob Manfred, who has done a woeful job. He has watered baseball down in myriad ways, but it's clear now to see why the seven-inning doubleheaders HAVE to happen, like it or not.
Let me put it this way: I've watched probably as much sports, if not more, than usual since they've all returned. I've inhaled it.
I don't care about the canned crowd noise. It's a background sound.
I don't care about the cardboard cutout fans. I either ignore them or laugh at them, especially when you see something different in there.
I also don't care that the Yankees have not done the cutouts and have tarps on their seats.
One of the few things that has bugged me (besides the Nike logo -- and I'll never get past that) is the fake crowd thing that FOX is doing. It's horribly done.
I'm not bothered by the broadcasters that aren't on site, unless it's noticeable. I'm bothered by ESPN's presentation and in-game interviews, but whatever.
I've loved watching sports in 2020, because Babe Ruth forbid, I'm GRATEFUL to have sports in 2020.
I'll take it over nothing.
Someone asked a columnist (President Pro Tem of the Pandemic Pessimist Panel) if they even liked sports. I've asked that of another senior member of the PPP and their answers (or lack thereof) are garbage at best. Spare me how you've covered sports since Roosevelt was in office or whatever. That tells me nothing, except it's a job. I once covered the board of finance. It was part of my job. Doesn't mean I loved it.
The answers and the constant "Debbie Downer" nonsense speaks of people who don't want to work.
Most noticeably, it speaks of those who want it to fail so that they can say, "I told you so."
And yet.
Yet.
Yet?
We're still here.
The CIAC might not play this fall (and, my guess, winter will also be in deep trouble, because what's going to change?) They've tried, but I think there are PR and lawsuit concerns. New York is also hedging their bets on playing high school sports.
But keep an eye open. There are grass roots leagues springing up. Locally, baseball is nudging towards a fall schedule and will pounce in Connecticut if (when?) the CIAC shuts the fall down.
Don't be surprised if other sports do the same. If they can get the facilities and insurance, they will try it.
They'll have an opportunity for a broadcasting partner also.
I love sports. I'm thrilled they're back. I stay true to my belief: The PPP should take the balance of the year off and come back when things are "normal." But, then, what would they have to complain and be miserable about?
Delete my thoughts if you want.
The human spirit gets beaten a lot. Lately, it's been getting walloped almost daily.
But, thankfully, many don't quit that easily.
It's not easy, and we're learning as we go along, but...
#TheyWillPlay
*****
The co-conspirator, John Nash, wrote a simply heartbreaking and stunning post on "The October Weekend." He opened a wound on himself with a story of loss on multiple levels. I have nothing else to say, other than I encourage you to read it.
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