Spring is in the air…

There are box scores to check, and all is right in the world.

Lefty looks good so far at 35, the deuce is really snapping. Think we can squeeze another year out of him?

I tell ya what, I had that kid pegged for Double-A, but he’s going to force some tough decisions around here.

You ever hear of this guy Jensen? Been riding the bus for years in the minors, but it sure didn’t look like it when he smacked that one halfway to Phoenix.

I’m convinced this rookie is going to be a 10x All-Star and the savior of our franchise based off of 5 Cactus League games.

He’s hitting .450 in Spring Training. He’s clearly winning the MVP.

He’s hitting .130 in Spring Training. It’s only Spring Training, completely irrelevant.

______________ followed a new offseason program and is in the best shape of his life. This is the year!

He struck out that one guy who used to be a perennial All-Star but is 40 now and fighting for a roster spot, so he’s the next Pedro Martinez, and nothing you tell me can convince me otherwise.

You know, if this guy who used to be a top prospect but never figured it out, another guy that had one good season 5 years ago,  some other player that is always injured, and washed up veteran put it together, we could have a real shot at the second wild card!

I’m sure the pulled hamstring on day two is nothing to worry about long term.

He got pegged in the hand and broke his pinkie? He’s a walking disabled list. Trade him now!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Take caution to avoid falling into the trap of thinking in the “Spring Training-isms” above. But take heart none the less in the return of America’s pastime.

Instead of cavernous bleacher sections filled with rabid fans roaring at the top of their lungs, there are grassy hills filled with oblivious kids running around aimlessly, having the time of their lives.

Instead of the bright lights and cloudy breath of October baseball, there are clear skies and dazzling sunlight.

Instead of 9 inning CGSO’s by Bumgarner and Kershaw, you have your buddy’s cousin’s roommate getting knocked around for six hits and three runs (two earned) in 1.2 innings.

But the mitt pops just the same, and the back cracks just as it does in the middle of the pennant race, and after a long hibernation, we will take whatever we can get.

Hope springs eternal, even for the A’s and the White Sox and the Phillies and the Blue Jays and every other team that is expected to go gently into that good night.

Dreams will come true, and dreams will be crushed. Someone’s time will come and someone’s time will end. Such is life, and such is baseball.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

Go Giants!

P.S. The origins of how the Grapefruit League (the spring training league in Florida) came to be named is always worth a read.