Commentary: Time To Hit Reset
A short rumination on the current state of the Phillies:
Say you’re playing MVP Baseball 2005, and your dynasty team is doing pretty well. It’s realistic enough that your team is in first place, but by a couple games. Your ace pitcher, meanwhile, has something like an 11-3 record with a 2.98 ERA.
It’s an early July tilt and your ace, for some weird reason, gives up eight runs in the first inning. You know that would never happen in real life, and you know that while you want to play the season with integrity, you shouldn’t be completely cheated by the computer. So you decide, “OK, just this once this year, I’ll hit reset.” So you do. You re-play the game.
The Phillies are right there, right now.
It’s time for the Phils to hit reset. Time for them to return to Citizens Bank Park, arrive early, communicate, laugh, forget the worries and play baseball. Time to take a strong batting practice, field some balls, lift a little, jog a little. Time to take in the fresh air of the ballpark and feel at ease.
It’s time for the fans to hit reset. Time to breathe in and breathe out. Time to recognize that while this team doesn’t look destined for great things, they’re a game out of first place. Time to take a jog, refresh the mind. Time to grab a cold one, sit back and enjoy the game.
It’s time for the Phils to play light. Time to lay down a bunt. Time to steal second. Time to watch for location. Time to focus on the ball. Time to do jog and stretch between plays. Time to run out every play. Time to focus on the at bat at hand and the play at hand.
It’s time for the fans to renew. Time to get your frustrations out early and once, then support the team. Time to cheer on the big at bats at all times. Time to give due where it’s necessary. Time to hope for victory, and if defeat, time to bow the head, reflect and carry on.
Tonight, hopefully, we all hit reset and more victories follow. We can only hope.
