Memorial Day Weekend

As we head into another Memorial Day Weekend don’t forget to take a moment and recognize those who have died in service to our country so we can enjoy the greatest game, the National Pastime, baseball.

“Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come.” Terence Mann

The Chicago Cubs (18-28) have gotten some outstanding pitching over the last week against the Mets and the Pirates. In the six games played the Cubs’ pitching staff has given up only 19 runs, about 3 per game. In today’s game, that is pretty good. On the offensive side they have managed 19 runs during that span. So what was the overall result? One win and five losses. Sorry Cubs fans there’s no good way to put it. The most recent sweep at the hands of the Pirates leaves the Cubs back in last place 12 games behind the Cardinals. It doesn’t get any easier as they head to Cincinnati this weekend. The best way to make up ground though is to beat the teams ahead of you. Go Cubs!

The Orioles (25-22) managed to right the ship a little bit this week by taking 2 of 3 from the Yankees. However, a loss to the Blue Jays last night has them still 3.5 games behind the Yanks in the AL East. They have three more against Toronto this weekend which gives them the chance to gain some ground. It’s time for a nice little winning streak to get back on top.

The Braves (28-18) are in the best shape of our teams this year. They hold a 4.5 game lead over the Nationals and have won 6 in a row and 7 of their last 10. They head to NY to take on the Mets in a three game series this weekend without Met killer Chipper Jones. It is time for someone else to step into that role for the Braves.