Speaking Baseballically

We are just now sitting down to the feast of fun that is a baseball season. I began to gather some of the names and phrases that remind us how the game nourishes us. On the menu, you will find crackerjacks, cashews, Brownies, apple knockers, eggs and bat doughnuts. Players sporting names like Lemon, Strawberry, Salmon and Wheat will give us fans something from all the major food groups. Pitchers will throw cheese or meatballs depending on the quality of their pitches on a given day.

Mr. Mustard – the teams’ hot dog – will strut around the base until he gets the turkey. Yes, home plate was nicknamed the turkey in the early days of the game, presumable because home is where you had your annual turkey feast. For dessert, we can nosh on the memory of the M&M boys in the Bronx or watch a relief pitcher serve a cantaloupe with two on and nobody out.

Other nutrients can be found. Bob Brenly, a catcher for the San Francisco Giants, was once asked abut his propensity for committing errors and he said, ” I’m making vitamins…you know, one a day.”

When a Tissue-paper Tom comes to bat, he probably will not baste anything. More likely the banana stalk in his hands will shatter when the cheese hits it. We just hope he shows a little tabasco when he’s in the game.

Yep, I am more than ready for the many flavors of the game. It doesn’t matter if some Wilson (glove) Pickett (good play) takes a hit from my favorite player; it will not be a shame if the home team looses. The great news is that the table is set and we all get to dig in.

Bon Appetite and Play Ball!