Play Ball!

I came into this weekend with a bit of a spring in my step and a smile on my face.

And I bet I'll keep them both throughout the day.

The reason is admittedly a little silly, given all that's going on in the world.

But today I can't shake the thought that things are looking up.

Because I'm going to get back to a summer Sunday ritual that I've really missed.

Cooking up something fun for dinner, something that takes a little more care or prep. With a baseball game on the TV in front of me.

It's almost hard to believe they're playing again. I feel like a lost friend of mine is returning from a long trip, months overdue.

I'm downright giddy about it.

Now Karen is a good sport, so though she's not much of a baseball fan, she knows how much I love it, so she's tolerant.

And sometimes I catch her getting into the game, and even getting excited or nervous about the outcome.

Maybe she's just nervous about whether I'll be sad if my team loses.

But the thing about baseball is, no matter what happens, tomorrow's a new day.

The crazy ride of the Washington Nationals last season proved that even if you've been written off for dead, if you come together and focus on today, anything can happen.

Their manager, Davey Martinez, had a mantra: "Go 1-0 today."

When you're well behind in the standings, you can't make up all the ground at once. But to climb back into it, you have to win today. Just win today's game, and worry about tomorrow when it comes.

Simple philosophy, but it stuck. And at the end of it all, they were hoisting the trophy.

It's good advice for anyone, when you think about it. Focus on what's in front of you, and commit to tackling it. You can't lose 10 pounds in a day, but you can make good food choices today.

You can't walk out the door and run a marathon if you've never exercised before (or at least, I wouldn't recommend it). But you can start with a walk around the block today.

When you think about sports too deeply, it's all a bit nuts. Grown men paid gobs of dollars to play a kids' game. And people live and die emotionally based on what guys they've never met do when someone tries to throw a ball past them.

So I get it. It's silly. And compared to "real world" things, not all that important.

But you'll have a hard time convincing me it's meaningless. Especially today.

Play ball!

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Comments

Ken Sperry - July 31, 2020

Jeff , I read your Sunday message about cooking a good meal and getting comfortable for a good game of baseball. I did the same thing . I enjoy baseball. I played it growing up until I went into the US Air Force. I served around the world for 22 yrs. When I saw all the players AND coaches take a knee during the National Anthem I grew sick. I could not go on watching that disrespect for my flag and my country. I have seen too much and witnessed to much tragedy among my fellow servicemen that I refuse to support anyone or anything that would do such a great disservice to this great nation. I respect you and everyone’s decision on this matter and on how they view this. I know not everyone has served in the Armed Forces of this country and have experienced what I and so many others have, maybe they should. But for me, my patriotism and loyalty for this nation is far higher than any sport or event that allows disrespect for its country’s colors and anthem. Patriot health products are awesome, the best and 4PATRIOTS products can’t be beat. Keep up the good work. Thank you for allowing me this space to share my thoughts and feelings.

Martin Lingle - July 31, 2020

Jeff,
You are so right. I have had the rare opportunity to cheer for three teams in my life. When I was a youngster, I lived in Kansas City. It is not known for much but we had Jazz, great BBQ, and the Kansas City Athletics. I always looked forward to seeing Charly O the mule(mascot), and the mechanical rabbit rise from next to home plate, with the basket of baseballs for the umpire.
Then, the dastardly owner, Charles Finley, moved our team to Oakland. It was many years until we were once again blessed, this time with the Royals. I was very fortunate to be entertained by the likes of Lou Pinella, Cookie Rojas, Dan Quisenberry, and George Brett, to name a few.
Fate then stepped in again. I had the opportunity to move to San Jose, CA, where my parents had relocated several years before. My mother used to root for the NYGiants, before they relocated to San Francisco. So, it felt natural to jump on that wagon, as we are on the opposite side of the Bay from the traitorous A’s.
And, as you know, I have been rewarded by three World Series Championships. Thank God for baseball!

Best regards,

Martin

Raymond - July 31, 2020

Continue the good works u r doing. U r bless 4 what U r doing. God b with U n Staff. Enjoy

BRenda GRiner - July 31, 2020

Hi Jeff,
We love baseball or any kind of ball sports..
We have a collection of all kinds of baseball memorabilia, cards, and previously had a business called “Griner’s Collectibles!!!”
I’m a New York Yankee Fan and my husband
Is a Cincinnati Fan which my favorite is Joey
Votto!! We watch them all!!!! 🇱🇷🍺🌭🌭

Manuel - July 31, 2020

Yes I thought it would be a good day to see Baseball ⚾ Major League again but I had my doubts an turned out my doubts were right.MLB giving into a Socialist frame of mind an destroying this game with their own propaganda of supporting a hate group/ aka terrorist organization has an will kill this game.So I will no longer watch the game and a lot of other sports because of it.How can one support a group who does bad things an disrespect out National Flag.Sorry I am not for Anarchy etc…

Mj1606 - July 31, 2020

Watch it! They all think it’s cool to kneel for the National Anthem. Country over sports anyday.

Arlene Flowers - July 31, 2020

Hi, hope you are having a good day. So I read your email about enjoying the day and watching some baseball. And I have to ask, you’re company/business is all about selling products to benefit everybody’s health and home etc and always giving the same items to the military for free and you have Patriot in your company name, so I have to ask why are you going to sit and watch a baseball game when all the players, coaches and everyone else involved are taking a knee to support the blm when the anthem is played? Very few of the players are standing. I like watching baseball too but I won’t anymore if they’re going to disrespect the flag, anthem, and the military. Thank you, Arlene.

Diane - July 31, 2020

I thank you for inspiration…today’s message was especially what I needed. With all that’s going on in the world a person can get overwhelmed. I can’t change the world but I can create a loving and caring environment in the little space I have and hope that thru productivity and positive energy it will pay forward to others. You today inspired me to keep going! Thank you so much and God bless you and your family.
Diane Hyatt

Rodney Harrison - July 31, 2020

My SUNDAY message: Remember that YOU ARE A CREATED BEING BY A “DIVINE CREATIVE SOURCE” therefore you are not a Human Being having a “Spiritual Experience,” INSTEAD YOU ARE A CREATED “SPIRITUAL” BEING HAVING A “HUMAN EXPERIENCE,” They do NOT put “MAN” IN A GRAVE, there is no Life in the Flesh FOR ALL LIFE IS IN THE “SPIRIT” AND ITS INFINITE MANIFESTATIONS, “GOD” IS ALL KNOWING CREATIVE MIND AND LIFE, ALL LIFE COMES FROM THIS "SPIRITUAL FORCE,AND CREATED MAN HAS BEEN GIVEN THE “FREE WILL” AND CHOICES TO CO-CREATE HIS LIFE EXPERIENCES, HIS “HUMAN EXPERIENCES” WORLDS WITHOUT END AND A TIME THAT IS ETERNAL. THE POWER OF THE GREAT FORCE IS BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE BUT IT NEVER DESTROYS BECAUSE IT IS NEVER ENDING ALWAYS ETERNAL, MAN CAN CHOOSE A NEGATIVE OR POSITIVE EXPERIENCE AND ITS EFFECTS AND CONSEQUENCES, WE CAN CREATE OUR OWN HELLS OR HEAVENS, my Sunday Sermon, the Rev. R. HARRISON.

Gary - July 31, 2020

Now I appreciate your Sunday thoughts, typically they’re about family and the patriarchy of the family and how involved you are with your wife always at your side or your thoughts always going to her needs as you provide what is necessary for survival emotionally and physically.
You really nailed it about men playing a kids game and the GOBS of money these guys are paid for our entertainment and sports has always been an emotional release from the daily stresses of life. Now they’ve bought into this narrative that’s a 100% unpatriotic to this country it’s absolutely MARXIST and the spoiled rotten grown kids being paid gobs of money REARLY do anything except supprt the ability for kids to stay busy with whatever sport they’re in. And what do they do with all their money & the CLOUT WE GIVE THEM, they build it up for their own wealth, they blow it, they don’t pass it on to their generations for the most part. Now they’re buying into this narrative that’s breaking down the patriarchy of our familys, our societies CORNERSTONE and denigrating the patriotism AND OUR FLAG of the very people that support them! I can no longer watch any of them.
Even though the national anthem is only the 1st 10 minutes of the game the logos worn on the jerseys absolutely make me sick, though that has NOT been in the baseball YET.
I believe we’ve gotta put our foot down and stop supporting these organizations that don’t support our country and OUR ideals.
God-bless you for doing what you think you gotta do BUT 1st God-bless this country over any individual, The ideal that is freedom is BIGGER than any individual, save it be GOD him self.🇺🇸👍

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