For some people, the portent of spring, with it promise of new life and new beginnings, is the first robin or the first flowers to bloom. For baseball fans, it’s spring training. And I am happy to say that spring training has started! Hope springs eternal in the human breast, and now the fans of every team are full of hope. I’ll tell you my baseball hopes for this next season, and you tell me yours.
I’m following the Nationals these days, they being the home team close to where I live now. The prospects look very good; indeed, amazing. The team won its division and had the best record in baseball last year. They brought back nearly all of their key players and made major additions. To a pitching staff that includes a 21-game winner in Gi0 Gonzalez and a Stephen Strasburg ready to pitch an entire season, the Nats have added another fine pitcher in Dan Haren. Moreover, they signed Rafael Soriano, the Yankees closer! They also filled in their few weak spots, including getting the speedy, good-hitting centerfielder Denard Span.