We all witness history every day of our lives. Some of that history we would prefer to not happen, like the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the effects of global warming on our planet. Things like this make us feel helpless and without any power. In order to cope with these things, we try to normalize our lives as much as possible. We continue to follow our daily and seasonal routines because they are what keep us comfortable when other things appear to be falling apart.
One of my normalizing routines is watching baseball. Something I started doing about five years ago. Remember the kid in class that couldn’t run around the gym once without almost keeling over from shortness of breath; the kid who was picked last or not at all for any team sport; the kid who couldn’t catch, dribble or jump because she was the biggest wimp in the room; well I was that kid. I had no ability for sports. None what so ever. I had no interest in sports. Again none what so ever, and I never felt as if I was missing something.
This all changed one afternoon when I happened to be in the same room where The Doc was watching a post-season ball game on TV. I sat down next to him. Not with any intention to get involved, mind you, just a little bit of curiosity because The Doc never really watched baseball either. The Toronto Blue Jays were in the post season that year. Suddenly I was involved and suddenly, and even more surprisingly, I understood the game and it didn’t take long after that before I fell in love with the game. If you would like the long version of this story, feel free to read, Why This Bitch Loves Baseball.
Anyway now The Doc and I stream baseball and watch the games from spring training in March right through the post season. It is our nightly entertainment for which we forgo Netflix and Amazon.
This year watching baseball is extra special. The Blue Jays are considered the team to watch out for because they have some amazing kids that they have brought up through their system, and these kids are turning heads.
Last night, one of these kids, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., hit three home runs and a double in four bats. Three of these hits were after having his hand sliced by a shoe cleat when he was trying to make a play at first base. Three of these hits came off of one of the best pitchers in baseball, New York Yankees, Gerrit Cole. One of these pitches was said to be nearly unhittable. Three home runs in a game is considered very rare. Guerrero has done this twice in his career. And then… And then… he caught Josh Donaldson’s line drive to end the game cementing the Blue Jays lead in the ninth inning.
Vladdy, as he is called by everyone in baseball, is the son of Hall of Fame baseball player Vladimir Guerrero Sr., who happened to play for the no-longer-in-existence Montreal Expos for a large part of his career. Vladdy was born in Montreal and has Canadian Citizenship. As a Canadian it feels great to have such an amazing talent on our team. And the Blue Jays are Canada’s team because they are our only team. Vladdy and the Blue Jays have a whole country behind them.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s name is being bantered around with those of famous players that even non-baseball fans are familiar with because they are ingrained in POP culture. Babe Ruth, Stan Musial and Ken Griffey Jr. who all had two three-homer games during their careers. He is also being mentioned with the likes of Hank Aaron and Mickey Mantle, a couple more famous players, but who only had one three-homer game in their careers. The point is that this kid is special. What is even more remarkable is that this kid is only twenty-three years old. He is a joy to watch, he works hard and is a team player. He has a million dollar smile and enjoys playing the game. There is nothing that brings me more joy than seeing someone who loves what they do, doing what they love. And right now Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is making history, and I get to witness it being made and enjoy those happy historical moments.
Thank you for reading.
Photo: Pro League Sports
Recent Posts:
Still Bitchy After 60 Blog 
I learned baseball when my kids began playing, first at t-ball then later in competitive. I too watch baseball and love it, especially when I get to go to a live game in Toronto!
I will never ever get tired of watching JoeyBats’ bat flip. 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is fun to watch the Jays and Vladdy. I’ve been to a few live games. My first one was a long time ago at Exhibition Stadium. But I really enjoy them on the big-screen TV.
LikeLike
I have no interest whatsoever in baseball 😊. This kid sounds great though and I really love that you pause to reflect on happy history in the making!
LikeLiked by 1 person
These days we need to seize whatever makes each of us happy. It is also nice to have something that both my husband and I enjoy together.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve always known about baseball and it’s been on my radar, but I never really went all in for it. Still I like it, the slow pace appeals to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the pace. I can’t really keep up with other sports–especially that very-Canadian sport of hockey. Baseball is also such a polite sport. You often seen players from opposite teams chatting and laughing while one is one base and the other is there to get him out if possible.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You and I could talk baseball, Jen. I’m a sports junkie. I have to admit I like other sports more, but I do follow the standings throughout the year. I typically don’t follow baseball much until the playoffs. One hundred sixty-two regular-season games seem like a bit of overkill. I think it’s unfair that you play all those games, and then the wildcard teams can be out in one game once the playoffs start. I’m getting together with a couple of buddies this summer to go to a Giant’s minor league game in Sacramento on a Friday night, followed by a major league game on Saturday in San Francisco. Baseball is one sport that is fun to attend in person.
I heard about Vlad Guerrero’s big night. I remember his dad, who was a hell of a player with a cannon for an arm in right field.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am enjoying watching the young players grow. I enjoy seeing the camaraderie and friendships between the players even between players on opposite teams. The Toronto Blue Jays, like many ball teams has players from so many different countries around the world who play together as a team and I think that is amazing. Your baseball weekend sounds fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I share your love of the game but being a Red Sox fan…. I cringe every time Vlad comes up to bat.
😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel the same way when Rafael Devers is up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We call it ‘Rounders’ here and that and volleyball were the only two sports I could ever STAND taking part in. I’m not really into either doing or watching team sports – I like to exercise on my own really. Well, apart from the Scottish Country Dancing which I’ve done since I was a little girl and my mother used to take me to dances.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My sport of choice when it come to participating is kayaking. Not a team sport. I was surprised when I began to enjoy baseball. It was so unlike me.
LikeLike
I like doing lots of solo sports but was never really a team player – and I always used to get picked last too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not a sports person but watching sporting events on TV with family has been a thing since I was a child. Enjoy your ballgames!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I will.
LikeLike
Baseball is a fun sports game ..but I don’t play baseball .Lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
he seems like quite the player. good luck to the Blue Jays; looks like the Phillies will be mediocre once again…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice to hear from you Jim. You were missed. Of course after I posted this blog Vladdy and the Jays went into a slump. In the tradition of baseball superstition, I was wondering if I jinxed them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did miss the blogging community! And maybe you shouldn’t write about Vladdy and the Jays anymore, unless it’s during the offseason 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person