Another time

I love the game. Recently, my high school counselor surprised me on a visit to my high school with an early Christmas gift. He had spoken to me before I graduated about this rare photo he had in his possession. I didn't get to hear much of it, but being a pure fan of the game, of course, I was intrigued. It passed without me learning more. This past Friday, I stopped by on a visit. He told me he had something for me, and that I had actually saved him postage.

It turned out, he had planned on mailing me a reprint of a photograph. It was of Christy Mathewson, the Hall of Fame pitcher, one of the best to ever play for the Giants. I thanked him endlessly for it and returned home to frame it, only to stare at it for a good half an hour.

It's not worth much, being a reprint. It's not an original, and there are probably a few other duplicates out there as well. But, I love it more than almost any other baseball object in my possession. It's beautiful. I love the history of the game, and this is just a piece of it. Nothing before this had connected me to the past. These were the New York Giants of the early 1900s. I am a proud fan today, sharing a baseball memory of my favorite team with others.

It's not just a photograph, though. To me, it is a symbol of an entire era, my symbol. The era of baseball before sluggers, steroids and super-agents. A time where money had nothing to do with it, where grit and hustle were applauded. The time where winter was not the off-season, but rather the time where players took a second job. They played cause they loved the game; I watch because I love the game. That's what this photograph is: the game.

Frustration

This off-season has been absolutely entertaining. No other words could describe the events that have taken place recently. It's fascinating to know that super-agent Scott Boras is not having the greatest effect on the events transpiring, nor are the Yankees who are back to their great spending habits of old, which they gave up for a good year and a half, but that the national economic crisis is potentially the most devastating on the free agent market and propective signees this off-season.

While it is clear the Yankees don't seem heavily affected by the drastic downturn, it is evident in almost all the rest of the league. November, naturally and commonly the most active signing month, was as dormant as a grizzly in the winter. An ESPN blogger recently commented saying that January may be this year's November. None of the players know how much money is truly out there. With the exception of the Yankees, a sure thing is no more.

Mark Teixiera with what seems to be one suitor left in the market, still has not signed. The Angels are the only publicly declared team still interested in Teixiera. Boston claims to have pulled out of the running citing an absurd price tag; the Orioles, never serious bidders, were done weeks ago.

Yet, why has he not signed?

I believe it's simply because of this time of economic turmoil. The Red Sox more than have enough to bid for Teixeira and in any other off-season, Teixiera maybe exchanging his sunglasses for a snowcap, preparing for his presentation to Boston. But, Boston is wary of spending. If their fans don't have the money to buy season tickets, slowly becoming evident in the diminishing renewal requests for season ticket holder slots, where are the teams going to make enough money to pay for the superstars? The team may wind up with a fat contract, diminishing overall income and a future inability to make similar off-season moves. In my opinion, Boston knows this, Boras knows this, the Angels know this and clearly Teixeira, as shown by his actions, knows this. They have the money, and are just unwilling to spend it, not unlike the American people.