Sports Ink

In today's society, tattoos are everywhere. Tattoo parlors' are in major cities but also in the suburbs. Originally tattoos were geared towards sailors and drunken debauchery in port cities. The oldest tattoo parlor is still in operation along the Nyhavn canal in Copenhagen, Denmark. Nyhavn, known more for the colorful, narrow block of buildings, was one of the original ports for the Vikings into Copenhagen. Copenhagen sits on an important trading route connecting Norway and Sweden and Continental Europe. The tattoo parlor also succeeded because of the Danes drinking reputation. Many bars line Nyhavn and after a night of drinking, a tattoo sounds like a good idea. Also, sailors travelling the world, wanted to have a reminder of the various ports that they visited. Before cameras, a tattoo was the only visual picture to remember the cities. Tattoos are also a work of art and provided an outlet for local artists to practice their work. However, the needles were not sanitized and diseases quickly spread. This led to laws prohibiting tattoo parlors, thus, beginning the "taboo" phase. As society progressed and in a way, has become more liberal, tattoos are popular among college students, parents and grandparents. Tattoos are a way to express your beliefs, a special person, quotes, memories or a sports team. A basic Google search for "sports tattoos" leads me to thousands of pictures from a simple logo to a whole scene.

In August, right before I left Boston, I decided to get a Red Sox "B" tattoo. Walking out of the parlor, I thought to myself, "did I just jinx the Sox for this season?". Are fans who have a team/logo tattoo crazy? Is it a way of showing your pride and dedication to your team? Even though the "B" is one of the more popular tattoos in Boston, I decided that it was my perfect tattoo because it describes me. I am a loyal fan and never count the Sox out until they are mathematically eliminated. Baseball is my life and with my "B," I always have a part of Boston with me wherever I go.

I have seen both women and men with sports tattoos. A simple logo describes fandom with no formal introduction. For example, blue stars represent the Dallas Cowboys, depending on the color of the "B" it can stand for the Bruins or Sox, a red "P" for the Phillies, a Flyers logo, an intertwined "NY" for the Yankees, a picture of the World Series with the year and a the skyline or all 4 logos. A person buys a hat or a bumper sticker with a logo and wears it with pride, so why not get a tattoo with the same logo? A hat starts many conversations, or in some cases, debates, and tattoos work the same way.

Tattoos can also be used in bets. One Boston sports radio host has a Yankee tattoo because he lost a bet.  Would I accept that bet? Probably not, but that's what makes sports awesome.

Sports ink is popular today and I am proud to say that I will forever have my team on my foot. I have bumper stickers and hats too, but I won't regret my "B" decision.

Baseball in society

It's been a while since I last posted.... the Cardinals won the World Series; the Red Sox severed ties with both Terry Francona and Theo Epstein; the Phillies lost to the Cardinals in the NLCS; I was ashamed, embarrassed and angry at the Red Sox for the alleged beer, chicken and video games in the clubhouse during their historic collapse to the point where I hibernated because I couldn't emotionally deal with it; and  I cried when the Phillies lost. There I sat in my room, crying after Ryan Howard collapsed on the first base line and thus, ending the Phillies season, and my 2011 baseball season. I still watched the World Series but it just wasn't the same. The World Series was entertaining and hard fought between the Cardinals and the Rangers and went to 7 games. But still, my teams were out, one with drama, no manager and no GM and the other with Ryan Howard injuring his Achillies tendon and a little bit more stability in the clubhouse. There I sat, thinking about how much my life has changed over the past 6 months. It feels like yesterday I was booking my flights to Clearwater and sitting at spring training enjoying the Florida sun with the thousands of other fans who wanted to witness the pitching rotation (4 aces and the return of Cliff Lee), greet old friends (Ryne Sandberg), scout the first round draft pick (Jesse Biddle) and feel the electricity of a new beginning. The expectations were so high for both teams and were preseason favorites to meet in the World Series. The Red Sox entered the season with a big free agency signing (Carl Crawford) and traded prospects for Adrian Gonzalez. These two new big bats were supposed to carry the offense with Ortiz, Pedroia and Youkilis. However, no matter how strong your lineup is, if you don't have the pitching, then, honestly, the Red Sox could have led the majors in every statistic, but the pitchers keep you in the game. This is where the Sox showed weaknesses. First Dice-K needs Tommy John surgery, then Wake is forced into the rotation along with Andrew Miller and Kyle Weiland. Buccholz goes down with a back injury, Lackey and Rich Hill both need Tommy John surgery and Beckett and Lester aren't proving to be the aces that they need to be. Along with a lineup that only "clicked" from June-August, the September collapse was inevitable. Along with the fact that the Sox, with a 9 game lead in the Wild Card at the end of August, thought that they could coast into the playoffs,  didn't really show up in September, and just like that and a crazy final day of the season, their season is over. Summer went by and I moved and I've adjusted to "post baseball season" now that hockey is in full swing. I try and follow the Arizona Fall League and go to the Bulls stadium every once in a while to get my baseball fix. I still read the news and trying to distract myself so that Truck Day will be here before I know it! 

So now that I've let all of my baseball season anger out, I am ready to move on, so hello 2012 season... I'm ready for new beginnings and new changes!! Below is the start of a new idea, just rolling it into this same post...

Last night after listening to the end of the Flyers game, I had some extra time before the Pats-Jets game started. As a child, I loved the show "Boy Meets World." It's just a classic show and I haven't watched it in years, so I decided to watch an episode. I found the Pilot episode from 1994!! In the beginning of the episode, Cory is listening to the Phillies game on the radio using one headphone, while in class. Mr. Feeney catches him listening to the game and Cory tries to cover up his actions. Mr. Feeney is reciting the play by play to the whole class. The writers used real players, such as John Kruk and John Smoltz. I wonder if the writers referred to a specific Phillies-Braves game because the game is at the end of the season when the Phillies are in the playoff race. Also, this game could have been from the 1993 season, since the '94 season was strike shortened. At home, there is a scene where his brother, Eric, and Cory are talking about the next game because they have tickets. They always go to the games together, but Eric is going with a new girlfriend. Cory starts pacing around the room explaining that if the Phillies win, then they will be in the playoffs and it's an important game. At this moment, I had a flashback to my own childhood because, similar to Cory, I would explain the importance of a game, even if no one was listening to me. I love going to games and I am disappointed if I have the opportunity and I can't take advantage of it. 

Baseball is ingrained in our culture. Even in the least suspecting instances, I find myself finding baseball references. In the Pilot episode of "Boy Meets World," Eric and Cory share a special baseball bond with each other and it provides a chance for them to spend time together. I share this special bond with my own family and my friends. All these years later, I found a connection to one of my favorite childhood shows and even without a clock, baseball tells time. 

Quote: "Family is everything. It is even more important than baseball." - Luis Tiant

Documentary update

I'm still in the early stages of my documentary, but the more that I think about it, I'm leaning towards "ADHD in baseball" as my topic. I found a documentary about Andres Torres of the San Francisco Giants who has ADHD and his journey to play the major league level.


Right now, my goal is to contact a few players (past or present), preferably teammates, who have ADHD and talk to them about their journey. The player can be at either the major or minor league level. If you have any ideas, please leave a comment and how I can contact the player!


Quote: "They say the first World Series is the one you remember most. No, no, no. I guarantee you don't remember that one because the fantasy world you always dreamed about is suddenly real."- Sparky Anderson

End of the season

Emptiness. Done. Now what? Lost and confused. Disappointed and crying. Helplessness. Anger. Silence. Celebration. Hugging. Elation. Energy. 

These emotions are captured in a picture taken at the end of game 5 between the Phillies and Cardinals in the National League Divisional Series. As the focus of the picture, Phillies first baseman, Ryan Howard is on the ground a few steps from home clutching his achillies tendon while to the left, the Cardinals are celebrating their win around their pitcher, Chris Carpenter at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. This picture perfectly captures the moment because the Cardinals eliminated the favored Phillies, are rallying around each other while Howard is helpless on the field, ending the Phillies season and injured. At that moment, Phillie fans were crushed. The home crowd, stunned, exited Citizens Bank Park for the last time in 2011. Ryan Howard will be rehabbing his achillies tendon the next time baseball is played in Philadelphia.

While watching Game 5, I had flashbacks to 9 days earlier when the Red Sox lost on the last day of the regular season and missed the playoffs. I was sitting on my bed trying not to move or jinx the team. I tried to be positive about the situation, sit still during tense moments, and try to send my positive energy to the players. Yes, I know, that probably sounds crazy, but even though I was nervous, I was trying to stay positive as the game wore on. 

The Red Sox led Baltimore the whole game. After the rain delay, things started to fall apart, but the Sox still had the lead. In the bottom of the 9th, in a split second, everything changed. Just one hit off of Papelbon by Andino and the Sox lost. Again, elation and shock on the diamond. At the time, I didn’t believe Joe Castiglione because the Red Sox were supposed to make the playoffs. How could they collapse in September? If they made the playoffs, could they be competitive? They had some of the best hitters in baseball. They were preseason favorites to make the World Series against the Phillies. Now, all I could do was root for the Yankees to beat the Rays. After a tough loss, how I had to root for the Yankees who were tied with the Rays in extra innings. The game was on ESPN and 20 minutes after Papelbon blew the save, Evan Longoria took Scott Proctor deep and just like that, the Red Sox season was over. Boom. Done. The Rays advanced to the postseason after their hot September, coupled with the Red Sox epic collapse and thanks to Boston’s arch rival. I was stunned, disappointed, confused and upset. I kept telling myself, “at least I had one team in the playoffs” to ease the pain. I took all of my energy and focused on the Phillies. I couldn’t think about the Red Sox, Francona or the team. I had to ignore them for a few days because every time I started reading about the offseason, I started to cry and I haven’t moved on yet.

Game 5 in Philadelphia. Halladay-Carpenter. Baseball fans and the media couldn’t ask for anything more. One team goes home, the other moves on. Elimination games are always exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. There were no signs of a pending Phillies collapse other than “luck.” Somehow, each time the Phillies hit the ball, it would find Nick Punto or another Cardinals fielder. Carpenter pitched a complete game shutout while Halladay only gave up 1 run. 1 run, and I kept reminding myself of that. Similar to the Red Sox, in a split second the season ended. Howard made contact, started to run and collapsed, resulting in a groundout and a ruptured achillies tendon. Boom. Done. Season over. Shock. Confusion. Tears.

After every season, I’m always disappointed. However, this is the first time that I remember crying. There I was, sitting on my bed, with tears rolling down my cheeks and short breaths. Both of my teams were out, both collapsing and favorites to play in the World Series. There are a hundred questions surrounding both teams and a long offseason to watch it all play out. 

Later I realized why I was so upset. Baseball was my one constant since moving. There was always a game on after running, dinner or work. Baseball was a piece of home that I was holding onto while settling into my new life. I could place my “new life” on hold for a few hours each night and unwind watching the game. Now, there are hockey games every few nights, but it’s still not the same. I can’t tune out the “real world” anymore. I am faced with a new transition, “real world without baseball” in a new setting. It’s going to take a bit to figure this part out without becoming emotional. 

Quote: “It’s hard to win a pennant, but it’s harder losing one.”- Chuck Tanner

Playing to your strengths

Baseball is a game of concentration, patience and focus over a long period of time. 162 games in a season, 3 hour games every night with a rare day off, fielding and hitting for 9 innings, sitting in the bullpen waiting for the call, batting practice, stretching, spring training, plane rides, multiple levels in the minor leagues, bus rides, 4 plate appearances per game, multiple pitches during a plate appearance, running the bases, tracking the ball, pitcher verses batter, studying every batter in different situations, and deciding to swing or not. Baseball is a game of nuances, which raises the question, how can a person with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) be a professional player? 

Surprisingly, baseball plays to the strengths of someone with ADHD. A person with ADHD tends to hyperfocus on an activity or small details. With all of the subtleties of baseball, it leads to success because the player and game are always moving. Outfielders stand in a new spot depending on the pitch, hitter, count, score or inning. The shortstop moves on the outfield grass or in for a double play. The infielders bend their knees and their glove is up ready for a bounding ball or line drive. A pitcher stares down the hitter and catcher, looking for the sign. The one focus is the ball, therefore, creating no other distractions. 

Baseball is a game of routine. Routine also plays to the strengths of ADHD because it provides structure. Baseball, in it’s simplest terms, is structured with 9 innings, 3 outs per inning, 3 strikes, 4 balls, ball-strike counts, and played every day with 3 or 4 game series. This allows a player to develop a routine, and with ADHD, structure leads to better results. With every pitch, there is the possibility for consequences, positive or negative. These consequences, provide natural structure for the game and therefore, help a player with ADHD. 

Baseball is an “outlet” for extra energy. Sports plays to the strengths of ADHD because the person focuses more afterwards. Running the bases, running out of the dugout at the beginning of the inning, running to the dugout at the end, tracking down a fly ball, walking up to the plate and pre-game jogging helps the player focus before and during the game. 

Concentration plays to the strength because of the hyperfocus tendency, as I mentioned above. Also, by hyperfocusing, the player with ADHD can tune out the crowd noise. With hyperfocus, the player becomes involved, and in a way, obsessive, with one task, such as hitting the ball.

Baseball is a slow game, but a player with ADHD can be successful, and the fans wouldn’t even know that he is diagnosed with it. Major League Baseball legalized Adderall and Ritalin for players with ADHD. Are Adderall and Ritalin different then using “performance enhancing drugs?” Is the use of these medications different then the rampant amphetamine use in the late 1960s/early 1970s? 

Quote: “No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball.” - Connie Mack

A special bond

Baseball, among other sports are passed down through generations. As I’ve mentioned before, baseball is a piece of me. To me, listening to a game on the radio is relaxing and there is a special indescribable feeling to it, that I will try and explain in a future post. For the purpose of this topic, listening to baseball on the radio reminds me of my childhood. 

Growing up, we didn’t have cable until I was about 10 years old. Every night, the second my dad walked in the door, I asked “is the game [Red Sox] on TV tonight?” Most nights, the answer would be “no, but we can listen to it on the radio after dinner.” One night a week, which I later learned was Friday, UPN38 carried the game, so every Friday, my dad and I sat down and watched. Sitting on the family room couch, watching Sean McDonough and Bob Montgomery announce the game for UPN38, my dad suggested, “when you are older, you can announce the games.” I thought that my dad was crazy, I never envisioned myself being on TV, especially the play by play announcer, like McDonough. I idolized McDonough and Montgomery and thought, “if I’m an announcer, I’m going to be the analyst, because they don’t talk as much as the play by play and analyzing the plays is more interesting.” Ever since my dad suggested working in baseball and TV, I’ve always dreamed to make it a reality. It has gone through some twists and turns, but it’s always been in the back of my mind.

I still picture myself, in elementary school, sitting on the edge of the couch, wishing I could be closer to the old television. Sometimes, I would move closer and sit on the floor looking up at the TV, so I could see all of the action and pretend that I was at the game. 

Today is the last day of the 2011 regular season. The Red Sox have just blown a 9 game lead and are tied with the Tampa Bay Rays for the American League wild card. Throughout September, I keep thinking about the various Red Sox collapses. For as long as I can remember, I can recite the year, the opponent, the event and who committed the event that led to the Red Sox loss. My dad passed down the events because he witnessed a few of them and as a new fan, I needed the knowledge. This year, I keep thinking about 1978 and Bucky Dent’s home run during the one game playoff, which gave the Yankees the lead and the eventual win. Last week after listening to the Sox lose again, I texted my dad because I wanted to watch all of the other historic losses such as 1976, 1986, and 2003. He told me to watch Luis Aparicio miss third base in 1972 and I added it to my list. My dad and I share a special bond and I know that I can always talk to him about the Red Sox or baseball. He remembers when the Sox struggled and broke his heart, and he shared those memories with me. 

Baseball is special because it is passed down through the generations. Father to son, father to daughter, mother to son or mother to daughter. Most stories are about grandfather to son to his son, but in my case, it’s father to daughter. We have spent many afternoons, nights and mornings talking about baseball. I always say that I learned how to read from the “Boston Globe” sports page and “Sports Illustrated.”

My dad and I sat at the kitchen table each morning and he taught me how to read a box score, “how the runs were scored,” the standings and how to calculate “games back.” One of my fondest “Sports Illustrated” memories is, sitting on the kitchen counter reading “is this a sport?” to my dad and before sharing what the athletes thought, I had to get his opinion. After he answered the question, I finished reading the table to him. 

Today there is an argument that football is overtaking baseball as our “national pastime.” Is it because of technology? Or, in my case, children move away from their parents, so now it is harder for me to watch/attend the game with my dad? Are we more busy today than in the past where the whole family crowded around the one radio and listened to the game? Or is baseball “too slow” for today’s fast paced society?

Quote: “Losing streaks are funny. If you lose at the beginning, you got off to a bad start. If you lose in the middle of the season, you are in a slump. If you lose at the end, you’re choking.” - Gene Mauch

Doubleheaders

Personally, I wish there were more doubleheaders during the season. They are exciting and I love listening to two games in a day. Granted, if the Red Sox or Phillies lose both games, then I am more depressed than usual, but I don’t view it as “wasted time.” I believe there is more strategy during a doubleheader because the manager can’t play all of his starters in both games, deplete his bullpen or send in pinch runners and hitters with the same regularity as a single game day. However, in today’s game and economy, could a team survive scheduling more single admission day-night doubleheaders into their season? Or are teams so money and business driven that doubleheaders are only reserved for make up games with split admission? 

With other aspects of baseball, doubleheaders reflect American society. The economy determines who can attend a game. Today ticket prices are high, but also a result of Stubhub, Ace Tickets and other third party sellers. Player salaries are high right now, so teams need to raise tickets to be competitive. With lower player salaries, ticket prices were cheaper and teams could play more single admission doubleheaders. I have always enjoyed doubleheaders and I hope they reemerge in the regular season, not just for make up games.

Quote: “You should enter a ballpark the way you should enter a church.” - Bill “Spaceman” Lee