so I may be a born again seamhead

I have always been a casual baseball fan but my interest really waned when Les Expos got screwed by MLB and left Montreal.

Flash forward to this afternoon in Viera, Florida where I am watching a spring training game between the Nationals and Braves. Space coast Stadium was cool, it was a fun, friendly atmosphere depite being being an overcast grey day.

I was sitting along the first base line about 20 rows up with my wife, 12 year old daughter, 2 year old daughter, father in law and his new girlfriend who is a big baseball fan and the reason we are all at the game.

Top of the first inning and Chipper Jones fouls off a pitch into the stands and everyone around us gets to their feet. I finally pick up the ball against the sky and realize I have a shot at catching a major league foul ball.

Instead the ball touches down 4 seats away where my father in law has managed to barehand it with his left hand while holding my 2 year old daughter with his right arm. I should probably mention that he had 2 eye surgeries on his left eye this week which only made this more impressive.

The ball bounced off his palm and rolled to my feet where I picked it up and now have a cool souvenier to start our vacation.

This by far surpassed the time I froze my ass in Candlestick in 88 or the times I have been bored out of my skull watching the Jays at Skydome.

I have decided that I will follow the Nationals this year. I know that they apparently suck and that Moddy takes some abuse here for being a fan but I am officially on the bandwagon.

The only thing that would make this better is if the team revived Youpi but I don't see it happening.

 

Youppi had an honest to God joie de vivre that all mascots wish they really had.

Tampa Bay's Raymond comes pretty damn close.

I was thinking about buying this for my man cave (now sadly out of stock).

http://nineteeneightyeight.com/index.php/la/greatest-sports-moments/prints-daveperillo-baseballmascots.html?SID=0a4c8a885415e15b624fed3d6faf6dcb

 

If Stras is pitching, I'm VERY interested.

 

Just so long as Peter King didn't get it.

 

I think Youppi! (can't forget the exclamation point) is now a mascot of Les Canadiens.