In September, Baseball is Hard

Since I have addressed the fortunes of the Milwaukee Brewers here a few times over the years, it should be noted that as of today, the team, which lost one of its primary contributors to free agency during the past offseason, nonetheless surprisingly – nay, stunningly – maintains the best record in baseball.  Notwithstanding its loss to the Philadelphia Phillies yesterday, it has a credible 5 ½ game lead in the National League Central Division over the Chicago Cubs, and respective 4 ½ and 6 game leads over Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Dodgers for the National League’s best record; if Milwaukee finishes the season with a better record than Chicago and either the NL East or NL West Division winners, it will be entitled to a first-round playoff bye.  Although one might have reservations about the team’s ability to prevail in the postseason against payroll-heavy, star-studded heavyweights like the Dodgers, the Brewers are a heartening example of the little guy getting ahead.

Even so, as all of us with knowledge of the game’s history are well aware – and as the Brewers were reminded yesterday – in September, baseball is hard.  On September 2, 1951, the Brooklyn Dodgers held a 5 game lead over the ultimate National League Champion New York Giants (although New York’s victory is tarnished by credible reporting that its late-season surge was aided by a sign stealing scheme); on September 2, 1964, the Philadelphia Phillies held a 7 ½ game lead in the National League over the ultimate World Champion St. Louis Cardinals; on September 2, 1969 (I know; this hurts) the Chicago Cubs held a 5 game lead in the National League East over the ultimate World Champion New York Mets; and on September 2, 1982, the Milwaukee Brewers held a 5 game lead in the American League East over the  Baltimore Orioles [although this turned out happily for Brewer fans, it took two home runs by Most Valuable Player and future Hall of Famer Robin Yount off Baltimore Ace and future Hall of Famer Jim Palmer – plus a career catch at a crucial point by Leftfielder Ben Oglivie (not exactly known for his fielding) — in the last game of the season for Milwaukee to win the AL East].

You get the point.  Although September 2 sounds like the playoffs are almost here, there is still a sixth of the season left to play.  It remains to be seen whether this year’s Brewers have the grit and tenacity of the 1982 team.                                 

All that said, this year it has been difficult for me to pay much attention to the Brewers’ success; as I watch President Donald Trump and his MAGA cohort dismantle our republic, I can’t escape the notion that any enthusiasm I have for a team’s fortunes is akin to a Czech’s optimism in early 1938 about his nation’s chances in the 1940 Olympics.  I am hopeful that the intensity of the upcoming NFL season will provide me with an occasional temporary distraction that baseball, with its daily, languid pace – traditionally, the core of its charm — has not. 

But don’t listen to me.  In early 1942, Major League Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw M. Landis asked President Franklin Roosevelt whether America’s Pastime should suspend its season in light of America’s entry into World War II.  Mr. Roosevelt responded with his so-called “Green Light Letter,” in which he indicated, “I honestly feel it would be best for the country to keep baseball going. … [E]verybody will work longer hours and harder than ever before.  And that means that they ought to have a chance for recreation and for taking their minds off their work even more than before.”  Despite my much more attentive following of the Packers than the Brewers in recent years, if given a choice between a Brewer World Championship and a Green Bay Super Bowl title, I would, in memory of the 1982 Brewers, opt for the Brewer World Championship. 

So heed Mr. Roosevelt’s long-ago sentiments.  A pleasant distraction has its place. Go to the ballpark and have a hotdog and a beer (avoid elitist crap like sushi and canned fruity alcoholic concoctions  😉 ).  The days of summer are waning.  Cherish those that remain.