Two weeks ago, my mother died at 96. Great life, great gal. Lived in the house she was born in right until the end, shouting at the TV while watching the Yankees just a few days before she went.
Over the past 12 months, I've lost my closest cousin (cancer), my best friend (Covid), another friend and former co-worker (heart attack), the husband of another very close cousin (more cancer), and now my mom. That's the past 12 months. Jesus Christ.
On top of that, much less importantly, I officially became a senior citizen, recently had a partial knee replacement, put on a lot of weight (some of which has mercifully departed), the Yankees continued losing in the playoffs, and...oh, shit, I can't even remember all the minor stuff.
Out of all the minor complaints, though, it's the Yankees that really gall me. Maybe because baseball is something that really doesn't matter, except in how it can help you bear up under all the things that do matter, watching a long home run or well-placed line drive or killer split-finger fastball. And, best of all, seeing the game played well by your team, on a championship level.
But our team, the Yankees, can't figure out how to do that. Tampa has figured it out with a lot less money. The Dodgers have figured it out, with as much or more money. The Astros, cheating aside, had it figured out, and they're in Texas. But the Yankees? The greatest sports franchise in history? They can't figure it out. One championship in 20 years. The same mistakes, the same tunnel vision, the same lousy long-term deals. The same inferior pitching rotation, though the individuals change.
2021 has to be better than 2020. Doesn't it?
When I would say, "Well, things can't get any worse," my late best friend would say, "Sure they can."
I hope they don't this time. Just for a change of pace.
We wish you a Yankee championship, JM.
ReplyDeleteMultiple condolences.
I don't know what else to say except this;
I am a comedian in Hollywood. I do stand-up ( when there were clubs people went to ), while trying to worm my way onto a role in " The Kaminski Method." ( no success ).
I was recently asked to do a virtual comedy performance, with focus on what I'm feeling and experiencing in 2020.
My theme for the night was " shark attacks." My new approach to humor.
It has been the worst year of all time.
And you have had it with both barrels. The most difficult part, is "you have no choice but to carry on. " The clock keeps ticking. The garage beckons. The world just keeps spinning.
Live as well and happy as you can. Do it for them. In their honor and in their memory.
It is what they want for you.
Remember that. It helps. I know.
JM,
ReplyDeleteDude...
Alphonso said it beautifully. Can't think of what to add.
Except this, " Maybe because baseball is something that really doesn't matter, except in how it can help you bear up under all the things that do matter."
I have never seen that fundamental truth expressed so well.
Again... dude.
Doug K.
Sincere condolences.
ReplyDeleteI hope your friend is wrong, too.
So very sorry for all your losses JM
ReplyDeleteSending good thoughts to you from the other side of the Atlantic ocean
Very sorry to hear that, JM.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, what a year. Somebody was saying about changing the clocks tonight: Getting an extra hour in 2020 is like getting a bonus track on a Yoko Ono album.
Sending love, JM. 2020 has been a bear.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteJM:
My sincere condolences for your losses.
I saw a good meme today that made me laugh: "Tonight we get to set our clocks back for one more hour of this shit."
Apart from that, everyone else here is right. There's nothing more to add to Alphonso's and others' words. In fact, you're the one who said it best:
baseball is something that really doesn't matter, except in how it can help you bear up
under all the things that do matter, watching a long home run or well-placed line drive or
killer split-finger fastball. And, best of all, seeing the game played well by your team,
on a championship level.
Man, I couldn't agree more. Here's to seeing it all once again in our future. Please be at peace until then.
Thank you all. Your words mean a lot.
ReplyDeleteAnd Alphonso, I really like the Kaminsky Method. But they should've given you the part.
Someone else had a line: getting an extra hour on 2020 is like getting a bonus track on a Yoko Ono album.
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