All About the Memories
The MLB offseason is always a tough time for baseball fans. Most of us glom on to the rumors and Hot Stove season, patiently counting down the days for pitchers and catchers to report,watching old games, listening to the pundits discuss trades and free agent signings, and if you live in a place like me (Utah), bundling up and dealing with snow hoping for an early spring. Don’t get me wrong, the other sports are all great, I love football, basketball, golf, etc., I snowboard on occasion and have been known to grab a sled run or two, but there is just something about baseball. The crack of the bat, the snapping of leather, the smells of grass, summer air, hot dogs, it just feels right. As the saying goes, “How can you not be romantic about baseball?!”
Baseball has always been a family affair in my family. My father grew up a “YUGE” A’s and Reggie Jackson fan, his dad was a bleeds blue Dodger fan. How my brother and sister became fans of the Yankees I’ll never know, and now they’ve convinced my father to be a Yankee fan. As many kids do, I started as a fan of the team that I was first on in little league – the Angels. But my grandfather wore me down quickly and with no hesitation turned me into a Dodger fan as well. I think what pushed me over the edge was the 1988 World Series – and Kirk Gibson. Two things you can count on in my family, baseball discussions, and golf.
As I reflect on the last few seasons, and anticipate the upcoming campaign, my mind is flooded with numberless memories of why I love the sport so much. As I ponder, I can’t help but think about the first MLB game I ever attended in person. It was 1980 something and I was around 8 years old. The game: NY Mets at SD Padres. I still remember the butterflies in my stomach as we entered the old Jack Murphy stadium. I was not a fan of either team, but I could not wait to get to our seats.
I don’t remember a lot of the details of that day, but I do remember how incredible it felt to be in that stadium and watch those men play baseball. I do remember thinking it was cool that there was a player on the Mets with my same last name; and I do remember that player – Gary Carter – hitting not 1 but 2 homeruns that game. I will never forget the sound the bat made when he hit that first bomb, and I thought it was going to leave the stadium! Those memories will forever be the solid foundation of my love for the sport of baseball.
Another, more recent memory took place on Jackie Robinson Day 2022 at Dodger Stadium. I had taken my 11-year-old daughter to the game, it is our yearly tradition, like I said, baseball is a family affair for me!
The Reds were in town to play the Dodgers, and Joey Votto was playing first base. When the Reds took the field in the Bottom of the first inning, he was wearing Dodger blue shoes to honor Jackie Robinson. I remember thinking what a wonderful way for Joey to Honor Jackie, but he did one better. When he took the field in the bottom of the second he was no longer wearing the blue cleats but had switched to ones matching his Reds uniform. But he was carrying the shoes he had worn in the first inning. He jogged over to two young men who were sitting a few rows from the field with their father, and motioned at them both to come down to the field. They shyly walked down and Joey handed them the shoes he had been wearing, both shoes signed of course, with the inscription “Happy Jackie Robinson Day! Thanks for coming!” I watched as the now confident filled and beaming kid walked back to his dad to show him the treasure he had been given. As a father myself, I could feel the joy this father felt realizing his boy had just created a core memory, and increased his love for the greatest game on earth. “How can you not be romantic about baseball?!”
I have so many memories I could share, and I know you all do too. Millions of stories like the ones I shared above can be shared by all you fans. That’s why I love talking to baseball fans, regardless of their team. It is the memories that bring us back, it is the memories that give us hope every spring, it is the memories that make us love this game. Spring training can’t get here fast enough!
Article submitted by Scott Carter, avid Dodger fan.