Robservations – Older, but not acting my age
As I sit in an undisclosed location celebrating the annual tradition of ‘Rob Week,’ once again I find myself playing the numbers game.
The number? Thirty-five.
You see, it was 35 summers ago when Dr. Troop brought your friendly neighborhood sports columnist, kicking and screaming, into this world. And when the anniversary of that glorious day arrives each year, the time comes for reflection ‘ and for comparison.
For instance, in years past I’ve looked through pro sports teams’ rosters, searching for players who were born before I was. But this being a milestone year, I thought I’d go a little bigger.
With that said, the following major league baseball stadiums are older than yours truly:
Fenway Park, Boston; Wrigley Field, Chicago; Angel Stadium of Anaheim; Dodger Stadium; Shea Stadium; Yankee Stadium; McAfee Coliseum of Oakland and R.F.K. Stadium in Washington D.C.
Not a very long list, wouldn’t you agree? And at least a couple of those ballparks are set to be torn down in the next couple of years.
No, I’m not saying 35 is ‘old.’ In fact, when you read comic books every day, it’s hard to consider yourself ‘old.’ Senile, maybe, but not old. But what I’m saying is when you can start looking at lists of buildings and saying ‘oh, I remember when they built that,’ it kind of makes you stop and think.
Speaking of things that make you think, it was Jonathan Kent ‘ portrayed by the legendary actor Glen Ford ‘ who said, ‘a man gets older, and he thinks differently; things become very clear.’
And over my 35 summers on this planet ‘ the last dozen or so have been spent following young athletes around fields in middle Tennessee ‘ several facts have become clear about life in summer-ball sports writing. A few examples:
1. Never, ever, assume a rainout. I don’t care if it’s pouring straight down on Main St. at 4 p.m. There are leagues, coaches and commissioners out there with rakes and kitty litter, trying to get some infield dried out so they’re babies can play at 5:30. And as soon as you throw up your hands and say ‘there’s no way they’ll play that night,’ they will. The smallest kid on the field will hit three grand slams, the game will end on an unassisted triple play and the coaches will get in a fight. And you will have missed it, because you assumed a rainout.
2. Leagues don’t last very long, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Whether it’s travel ball schedules, ballpark costs or vacations, there are several reasons why the kids no longer play until right before school starts. Sure, you’d like them to stretch things out a bit longer, but they just won’t. So be happy if they play long enough to get you to the beginning of football practice. (Football practice starts Monday, by the way. Thanks, little leaguers!)
3. Finally, even though participation may be down more and more each year, there are still hordes of youngsters out there playing ball in the summer ‘ and it’s impossible to see them all. You’ve got to have help from the leagues, and if you don’t get it from one, you’d better rely on another. And of course, the league whose players’ parents feel is the most competitive bunch of athletes of all time will also be the league that never gives you any results.
Wow. I’m not sure, but I think I just used my ‘vacation column’ to complain a little about summer ball. Oh, well. I guess I’m becoming a crotchety old man at age 35. Don’t take it personal, just go out and enjoy the rest of your ‘Rob Week.’ See ya at the party, if my bones hold out long enough to make it.