No Yankees in the Post-Season...

The regular major league baseball season has been over for a couple weeks now.  There's a new wrinkle in the Playoffs this time around, with five teams from each league (American and National) making it to the post-season. 

When the ten teams were finally known, I chose the Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates to face off in the World Series.  The Tigers are still alive and fighting for the American League Championship.  The Pirates took an early exit and are probably playing golf by now. 

But here's the shocker: The New York Yankees didn't make it to the post-season!  Usually, they do.  No such luck this year.  Wait til next year!  That's what my Chicago Cubs fan friends say every year. 

The Yankees will make it back to the post-season again.  Probably sooner than later.  And they will make it to the World Series again.  Sooner than later.  And they will win their 28th World Series Championship.  Yup...sooner than later.

But baseball really is more than just a game.  Its philosophy.  And hope.  And drama.  And theology.  And the promise of life eternal.  OK, maybe not that last one.  Maybe.

See what I mean:

"Its wonderful to meet so many friends that I didn't used to like."
"There comes a time in every man's life, and I've had many of them."
"You have to go broke three times to learn how to make a living."
(Those three quotes are from Casey Stengel...long-time manager of both the Yankees and the Mets.)

"We made too many wrong mistakes."
"The game isn't over until its over."
"You can observe a lot just by watching."
(And, those three quotes are from Yogi Berra...also a player and manger with both the Yankees and the Mets.)

"Its a great day for a ball game; let's play two!"
"You must try to generate happiness within yourself.  If you aren't happy in one place, chances are you won't be happy anyplace."
(Those two are from Ernie Banks..."Mr. Cub.")

"Why does everyone talk about the past?  All that counts is tomorrow's game."
(From Roberto Clemente...great ball player; wonderful humanitarian.)

"It is dangerous for an athlete to believe his own publicity, good or bad."
(From Bob Uecker...average player but quite famous announcer.)

Like I said, baseball really is more than just a game.  Its philosophy.  And hope.  And drama.  And theology.  And the promise of life eternal.  OK, maybe not that last one.  Maybe.