chp84

Well, It's Important Around Here

I don't know if you've heard yet, but Joe Buck will not work the St. Louis Cardinals' games this season.  This year will be the first time the Cards have not had a Buck involved the broadcast of St. Louis' games since 1954 ( with the exception of 1960 when Jack Buck missed due to illness ).

The reason Joe noted for leaving the Cards is that he wants to enjoy the game as a fan.  I respect this decision as a baseball fan and former baseball player/coach. 

Ty Cobb once said, "Baseball is a red blooded sport for red blooded men.  It's no pink tea, and mollycoddles had better stay out.  It's a struggle for supremacy, a survival of the fittest." 

At all competing levels, baseball is a grind if you are good at what you do.  From little league to professional, as a player, coach or business associate, your responsibilties are held accountable day in and day out.  The mental aspect of baseball is very rarely understood by the folks who have never played or worked at least a 100 game schedule.  The incredible focus which it takes to perform competently and on a daily basis while having to manage all of life's other blessings can be terribly difficiult to find some days.  And, the cost of the mental toll is very rarely suffice nor rewarded.  The rewards, as a result, become insufficient for your continued participation as a working baseball associate.

But, simultaneously, your established interest in baseball only becomes more proficient.  You have become a student of the game.  You have a greater degree of competence.  You love the game for what it is, not for what you are within it.  Viewing the game as 'just a fan' is now more rewarding than your work within baseball because as a 'just a fan' you have less responsibility and subsequently, less stress.  You enjoy the game without worry over what you have invested in each game, each play, each pitch, each hit, or each call.  As a student of the game, you never learn to dislike the sport.  You may dislike some person, some idea or some action involved with the sport, but not the sport.

This is why I respect Joe Buck's decision to view the game as a spectator.  I must mention that this may not be why or how he came to his decision, although.  I'm sure his job with the NFL will keep plenty of food on the table for his family and fund many trips to the ballpark, so maybe he's just doing it for all of the quality time for himself and his family.  This too, I respect.

As for Steve Stone, I've always enjoyed listening to Stoney's broadcasts.  Stone is a true professional.  Evidently, the Cubbies are having more problems than what they already have on the field.  They've already lost the Caray legacy to the Atlanta Braves and now they lose Stone to their crosstown, interleague rivals who have already put a stop their World Series skid.  And, actually, the Braves' television broadcast team is by far my favorite of all.  This seems like just another sign of weakness within the Cubs' organization.  I know I would love it if Stone did the Texas Rangers' television broadcasts.  Josh Loewen and Tom Grieve absolutely wear me out.  Loewen doesn't know whole lot about baseball and Grieve perpetuates 'the suck' for the Rangers with his rah-rah, good-ole boy analysis.