MLB opening day will soon be here and over Spring Break I had the chance to attend some spring training games. The teams have these large complexes where they invite players from all of the different farm teams to show why they deserve to be there. One thing I noticed out of all the games was the simplicity of everything. Baseball at its core is a simple game and these players, some getting paid millions of dollars, are doing the same mindless drills we use to do in tee-ball.
It does not matter whether you are getting paid 20 million or 20 thousand, you will do the same drill. These players are just having fun. The greatest job in the world has to be a professional baseball player. They get paid to play the greatest game and there is nothing complicated to the sport.
People can talk about how they love basketball or football, but baseball is completely different in how the players act. Most of the players do not treat it like a career, they do not treat it like a 9-5 job. These guys want to go out everyday and do bunting drills, to throw bullpens, or work on double plays. They enjoy every aspect of it. The same joy they had in tee-ball is still the same joy they have now.
Derek Jeter said when he retired was that he didn't want to play anymore when it started feeling like a job. I have been to many Major League games, but coming down to Arizona to watch Spring Training was a whole new thing. The players were having fun and you can really see what is so special about baseball. I don't know of anything better than having a dodger dog with an overpriced drink watching the greatest sport out there.
