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The Boys of Summer

I have just watched a Minnesota Twins pre-season game from Fort Myers, Florida--where they train--and they are a cinch to win it all again!  It is crystal clear!

Have I told you how many eye operations I have had?

The Twins were magnificent last Summer, managing not to lose 100 games, falling one game short!

*   *   *

I also just saw a video of Mitt Romney voting in Massachusetts.  When his ballot was ready--it took him longer than it took his wife--he submitted his ballot, dealing with three people.  The third person put out her hand to greet  or congratulate him.

"Oh, yeah," you could almost hear him think.  He turned and went back to the first two people, and shook their hands.

"The Natural", the movie was called.

*  *  *


Let us be honest about the Twins.  Last year, they stank.  Or their record did.  


It is true that some of their best players were hurt.

  • Justin Morneau had concussions
  • Denard Span had concussions and leg injuries
  • Joe Mauer had mystery injuries
  • Tsuyoshi Nishioka was great in Japan
  • Ben Revere did a somersault running to third
  • Their pitchers were required to throw the ball toward home plate
  • Michael Cuddyer played only seven different positions
But now they are in Spring training, and the world is new again!  Fresh prairie will roll down from heaven.  The bison will return as thick as grass and as strong as mountains.  We shall put on our magic numbered shirts and the slings and arrows of political campaigning will not hurt us.

Pitchers will throw strikes.  Infielders will fly like ballet dancers and throw lightning bolts to first.  Our outfielders will leave tornadoes in their wakes, and leap tall buildings in a single bound, and bat like Ted Williams.  

There will be purity and clarity in the world, again, and order and teamwork.  There will be civilized contest, and beer in the afternoon.  There will be peace on earth, and no one will hear what Rush Limbaugh said because they were cheering for Cuddyer, even if he plays for Colorado now.  

*  *  *

And should you like to know how a baseball is made, look at this:  

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