Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Put me in, coach, I'm ready to play

I never used to follow baseball -- I've always liked playing baseball, I just never had much use for watching other people play it -- but I started to get into it when the Phils almost won the World Series on the day Molly was born. Ann and I were in her recovery room and the initial adrenaline rush of "holy balls we're parents now, in two days this thing is entirely dependent on us" had worn off, leaving us tired but not wanting to sleep just yet. We turned on the TV and the Series happened to be on, so we watched while Molly slept in Ann's arms. That was Game 5, the one that would have clinched the Series for the Phils if not for the snow/sleet conditions leading to the game being postponed. The Phils would go on to win 2 days later, and that started a slow-burning increase in interest with me. It wasn't until almost a year later, when the Phils were again in the NLCS playoffs, that I would really starting watching, but this season I've watched almost every game. I'm a newbie, but I'm getting there.

Regardless, because I've been following the Phils and baseball in general closely this year, I heard a lot about the Roy Oswalt trade when it happened. And what I kept hearing from every news source was that on the surface, it seemed like an absolute coup for the Phils, who were getting a great pitcher for almost nothing. But the lone holdouts brought up how Oswalt wasn't young anymore, how he was getting on toward the end of his career, and how it was unclear how long he'd be able to remain competitive. Thankfully so far that hasn't proven to be the case, but those comments stuck with me...

...all the way up until 2 days ago, when I learned that Roy Oswalt just celebrated his 33rd birthday. I don't know why, but I think I had assumed he was in his late 30s/early 40s, almost a Jamie Moyer-type who gets credit just for still being in the game. But no: Roy Oswalt is almost 3 years to the day older than me, and the big question on everyone's mind was how long he could last before his body basically fell apart on him.

I realize professional sports are different and they tax a body something fierce, I know how gymnasts are considered washed-up by the time they're 19 or so, but that was NOT a good realization to have, let me tell you. And Roy Oswalt, let me tell you something too: you are NOT old, my friend, and you are going to prove it by continuing to kick ass through September and (hopefully) into the postseason. And once the playoffs are finally over, if you decide you want to do an Ironman, that will be fine too. You get 'em, man. Welcome to Philly.

No comments: