Thanks Buccos

When I was a kid, I'd stumble down the stairs every morning to eat my Golden Grahams, drink some orange juice and read the Courier Journal sports page. For me, if there'd been a big game the night before, say a Louisville basketball game or a MLB playoff game, opening that sports page was more exciting that Christmas. These were the days before ESPN, the MLB network or the internet. The actual headlines, stories and boxscores were where I got my information, covering my hands with ink as I found out who'd scored how many points, what the critical plays had been, how many people were there, etc.

There are many things I like about the technology we live with today. Being able to watch any game I want or at least follow on gametracker, instantly knowing...it's awesome. The problem, lately, has been that there just hasn't been that much to rush to find out. Louisville basketball no longer holds much appeal to me. It's not football season yet. I love the Yankees, but, well for a Yankees fan the excitement doesn't really start until September. Anyhow...instant information somehow, for me, reduces the rush of waking up to good (or bad) news about your team.

Thank God, then, for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Yes, the Pittsburgh Pirates.

For the first time in 18 years, the Pirates are winning and doing it in a fun way. They are gritty. They work hard. They have fun. Apparently, someone neglected to inform this team that they are incapable of success.

Last night Caleb came over for coffee & dinner & to show us his UK student id. The better part of my evening was given to conversation with Denise & Em - taking a walk, sitting on the couch chatting, etc. It was splendid! I can't think of a better use of our time.

Meantime, the Pirates were playing on ESPN for the 1st time since 2004. I watched out of one corner of my eye while Denise told me about her day - and, then, in the 4th inning with the Pirates leading 2-0, we turned the t.v. off. I went to bed wondering.

And, it was great. The Pirates are in Atlanta this week for a 4 game set. They will follow with 3 games in Philadelphia. At the end of these 7 games we will know if the Pirates have changed or not. This is the truest test they've faced all year.

When I came down this morning to finish my coffee, read my Bible and invite God to love through me today, I knew that 1st - I was going to find out if they held on. Couldn't help it. And, God being a baseball fan, I know God understands.

For a minute I was 10 years old again. The paper snapped in my hand (ok, it was actually my computer booting up - which, incidentally takes longer than opening a newspaper and even longer than waiting for my dad to hand over the sports page while impatiently I slurp cereal). I anxiously waited for mlb.com to load, finally revealing in vivid color that the Buccos, led by James McDonald's pitching, Andrew McCutchen's bat and some nifty plays and timely hits by catcher Michael McKenry pulled out a 3-1 win. Of course, it's cool that I don't just read about it. I can watch replays and interviews, see dozens of pictures. God is good, for sure!

This is not a great team, and I don't expect them to be playing come late October. But, boy are they playing now, and they're making morning coffee exciting.

So today, what I like - what I'm thankful for - hearing about my son's day, talking with my wife, walking Howie with my girls, and the Pittsburgh Pirates helping me feel like a kid again.