For those of you that regularly read my retirement blog, which I realize is very few in number, I apologize.  I may have already lost you loyalists, as well, after this third consecutive post about baseball.   I try to distinguish between posts that are sports-oriented and those that are retirement-oriented by using the bold headline: “Old Sport Shorts.”  I came up with this title because I’m an old retiree, who enjoys sports, and tries to keep his posts very brief and engaging.   As further explanation, another word for briefs is shorts, and both undergarments are alternatives to a “jock.”  I don’t think that my posts are controversial enough that I need serious “protection.”  I do need “support” however, so thank you for sticking with me when I throw a curve-ball.  “Old Sport Shorts,” and “Creature Features” are both designed to be reader alternatives to “Retirement is not without Hassles, as  I continue with this on-going blog experiment.  Tomorrow will complete my first six months as an author who has found a new passion outside of the workforce.  Sports are part of that passion, so I can’t keep it out of my writing.

As an additional warning, I do plan to attend the MLB Legends, Home Run Derby, and All-Star Game next week in Miami.  I do promise to make up for this deviation in procedure very soon, but you just might learn a few things about the game through my sarcastic takes on those who play it.  Plus, baseball season is almost half-over and it doesn’t look like the post-season will include my two favorites.  I have to vent while I can!

The month of June is shaping up to be record-setting for home runs.  In fact, MLB hitters are on pace to hit nearly 500 more homers this season that ever before, including the so-called “steroids era,” according to an article I just read by Ted Berg for USA Today.  Yes, I not only write – I read, too.  I also got to personally witness, Aaron Judge of the Yankees hit his MLB-leading 27th homer of the year last night against the White Sox.  (See Post #157)  So, what’s the new drug that we will undoubtedly discover a few years from now, or are the balls just wound tighter than previous years?  Are the players wearing briefs, shorts, or jocks?  There’s so much intrigue in the game of baseball.

The Home Run Derby TV show of 1960 is a key memory of my childhood.  I got interested in baseball by collecting baseball cards, and joined a neighborhood Little League team, but initially followed the Yankee Slugger Mickey Mantle.  The 1959 World Series turned me into a White Sox fan, abandoning the Yankees for a team closer to home at my dad’s suggestion.  It was the first and last time I ever listened to him!  I was not aware  until recently that the black-and-white show was filmed at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles because the fence distances were symmetrical, favoring neither right or left-handed hitters.  It would have been on my recent retirement tour of Los Angeles (Post #41), but the stadium was demolished in 1969.  My interest in knowing more about the stadium was solely due to the fact that the architect of the park, Zachary Taylor Davis, previously designed both Wrigley Field and Comiskey Park, also important landmarks of my Chicago-vicinity childhood.

I watched Home Run Derby religiously, and played Wiffle Ball in the front yard of our one-story home.  The roof was the home-run target in games against the neighbor kids. The yellow bat and “holey” white ball were plastic to prevent window breakage.  The ball was originally invented by David N. Mullany to enable his young son to throw a curve-ball.  The curve is a pitchers remedy for the long-ball, with a strike-out in those days called a “whiff.”  You never see a curve-ball in Home Run Derby because the pitcher is chosen by the hitter to throw a pitch that is easy to hit over the fences.   The TV show was not renewed the next season, not because of poor viewership, but rather because the host of the show, Mark Scott, died unexpectedly of a heart-attack.  26 total episodes ran and helped inspire the modern-day Home Run Derby event that is part of MLB All-Star Weekend.  I will finally get a chance to see it live and in-person, probably my biggest motivation for going to the All-Star Game in Miami next week.

Rookie Aaron Judge is projected to hit 57 home runs this season.  Currently, he has 27, while Cody Bellinger of the Dodgers and George Springer of the Astros each have 24.  Logan Morrison of the Rays has 22, and Joey Votto of the Reds punched 21, along with Justin Smoak of the Blue Jays, Jay Bruce of the Mets, and Khris Davis of the Athletics.  There are 6 players tied at 20, including Scott Schebler of the Reds, Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell Ozuna of the Marlins, Joey Gallo of the the Rangers,  KC’s Mike Moustakas, and Milwaukee’s Eric Thames.  With regard to my “Chicago Land” favorites, Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs has 18 to his credit and teammate Kris Bryant follows closely behind at 16, with Bryant out at least a week with an ankle injury.  Matt Davidson of the White Sox has 17.    These current standings are courtesy of Major League Baseball, as I’m certainly not counting myself.   Which of these sluggers will I see in Miami and who will lead at the end of this weekend going into the event?

The White Sox game today is currently delayed due to rain, so they are not losing to the “Damn Yankees.” (See Posts #156 and #157).  The Cubs rallied to defeat the Nationals this afternoon to tie that series and stop their bleeding.  John Jay was the hero with a two-run double that sparked a three-run ninth inning rally.  Rookie Jeimer Candelario, who replaced the injured Bryant, had his first home run as a Major Leaguer.  Cubs catcher Willson Contreras successfully threw out two attempted base stealers, an issue that got his back-up, Miguel Montero, demoted earlier this week.  The Cubs stayed above .500 with the victory!

I just got back in Portland with the dogs.  Hopefully, they will inspire a cute story for “Creature Features,” and my retirement routine gets back to normal tomorrow with the potential of getting back on track with “Retirement is not without Hassles.”  As I’ve mentioned in several posts, much of my writing is personal therapy for myself.  I’m concerned about the Cubs and I’m anxious to see my son and his family in Florida, as part of my All-Star adventure.  I appreciate your patience, as I continue to pursue my style of writing, and learn to better target your reading interests.  Each day I write, I simply hope to hit a Home Run!