Monday, February 05, 2007

Sometimes It Pays to Know Nothing

If you asked me a question about baseball, chances are good I would have a correct answer for you. I've loved the sport for as long as I can remember and through the years I've come to know quite a bit about the game. I can recall watching the 1991 World Series when Kirby Puckett not only hit the game winning home run but he also made the best centerfield catch I've ever seen - leapt higher than his frame should have ever allowed and reached behind the wall. It was unbelievable. I can tell you almost every detail from the Rockies home opener in Denver - April 9, 2003 - 80,227 people in attendance. My dad and I sat near the third baseline munching on peanuts and Rockie dogs. Eric Young hit a homerun at his first at-bat and I spilled my soda and I jumped up to scream and clap. I can tell you that there are 108 stitches on a baseball. I know how many feet seperate home plate and first base. I have strong feelings about the designated hitter. I met Yogi Berra a few years ago and actually got a little teary-eyed...though broke out into a fit of nervous laughter after calling him Mr. Yogi. (As I left he told me to visit him in Jellystone Park sometime.) I can still recall the chills that spread across my entire body as I walked into Fenway for the first time. I believe Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame despite his gambling. I love Cal Ripkin. I hate Barry Bonds. I've planned vacations to include stops at major league parks. I've cursed out umps for bad calls and I've cried (tears of happiness and sadness) at the end of games. I just love the game.

All of my love for baseball has left little room for love (or knowledge) about other sports. I enjoy going to almost any live sporting event but rarely watch them on t.v. - with the exception of March Madness when Creighton plays. So yesterday when the Super Bowl was on, I had it on in the background but didn't pay much attention. I know that the Colts won and I caught a few plays but that's about all I could contribute to a conversation on the topic. I just don't know or care much about football unless the Broncos are playing. I will admit I'm quite ignorant when it comes to football and I'm ok with that.

That all being said, you can imagine my surprise to find out that I was the bigger winner in the Super Bowl pool. Turns out, knowing nothing about football or what boxes to pick on a sheet of paper can really pay off because I'm several hundred richer this fine Monday morning.

I think I'll buy myself tickets to the Rockies home opener...

3 comments:

Marissa said...

that means i should have been in the pool too, because i too know NOTHING about football (and even so i watched...and pretended i knew what i was cheering at when things seemed exciting!)

Cheryl said...

Yay! I love baseball too which is why we need to see the Cubs in April.

Anisa said...

that's awesome. yay!!! can we still be friends even thought we named out cat after don mattingly? :)