April's Gaffes Become Midsummer's Laughs

[Hungary Jack]

April is the cruellest month for baseball fans. It really is. Talented ballplayers do unexpected things as they try to shake off the cobwebs of a winter spent not playing baseball. The weather does not cooperate as muscles and tendons that need warmth to function properly are kept in cold storage after a March spent cavorting in extreme southern climes. Players try to adjust to the routine of travel, sleeping in hotel beds and being away from family. It all makes for an unpolished product for an audience that is itching for the finely-tuned machine that hums through a pennant race.

Last season's unexpected champs got off to a fast start, generating a record of 42-26 into early June before sputtering badly. But the 2004 team that won 105 games was maddeningly erratic in April and May before going beserk starting in June en route to a 78 - 34 finish.

The 2007 team does not have the talent of the 2004 version, but what we see now in April is not necessarily indicative of the team we'll see in June and beyond. Frankly if we come out of May with a .500 record, a healthy set of arms, and a good sense of what Jimmy, Rolen, and Juan E are capable of doing, I'll be optimistic that Walt, TLR, and the gang will take care of what needs to be done.

[Hungary Jack]

No one's buying my special snake oil, eh?



Man, what a depressing lot.

[StL Dan]

I liked it, Hungary Jack.

Well thought out and written.

The last paragraph is key.

[jim]

Honestly, it was so well written and without any faults that I didn't think to respond. So...

"Yep".

Seriously, nice little post. I did read it and it did register.

[stlouie_lipp]

I agree. I won't judge this team until 30 games have been played.

[planet planet]

Just let me know when the laughs start and the gaffes stop. I'm hoping April will be a real knee slapper come June.