Hope Springs Eternal

It's the middle of February, there's 26 inches of dirty snow on the ground and the temperature is struggling to get above the freezing point, but today is one of the best days of year. Spring is not in the air, but at least this young man's (I'm speaking metaphorically) fancy turns to baseball and the promise of warmer days ahead. It's reporting week for pitchers and catchers in spring training. This is the week when every team is in first place and everyone gets to anticipate the thrill of opening day, warm days in the sun and a nail biting pennant chase leading to fall glory (except of course the fans of teams that actually play in Florida).

Winter has been mild, but it does nothing to fend off the darkness and despair of five months without baseball. The last out of the Yankees season basically signals the end of the sports year for me. Even when the Yankees win the World Series, the last out is always bittersweet. Today, however feels a little warmer, the sun is shining a little brighter, my step is a little lighter and all is right with the world once again. For right now, there are no more beautiful words in the english language than "Spring Training".