George and Bo crashed into each other and I haven’t been the same since

YouTube clip selected multiple times

I am praying for a different outcome
knowing it will not occur

It is like Groundhog Day
and the day is only a minute:

Springer and Bichette collide

Chaos followed by silence

The match is tied

A medical cart removes concussed Springer from the arena

Thousands of paid spectators,
millions staring at screens,
watch the vehicle disappear behind the outfield wall

This is how it feels when the soul separates from human flesh

Why am I watching this?

Because I cannot move forward

The moment has initiated a great freeze,
slowing my passion and anticipation

This purgatory is painful

Stuck in a holding pattern,
hoping that I will thaw out before Spring Training

ER

Sensational Season

robbie ray wearing
tight pants and a powerful growl
captures the cy young

ER

The Pitcher with No Name

He appeared young and at the top of his game
At least that’s how the film portrayed him
A Cuban all-star with a cannon for an arm

His name is unknown because of a language barrier
But it seems he was family man and it seems he was loved by his teammates

He threw a perfect game and was hoisted to the stars
A sudden deity people would come to see
Studying every move, every action

One night his career came to an end
An apparent upper body injury
As his image disappears, I ask how he met his untimely end

Was it from the injury?
Was it from a car accident?
Was it from the loss of something greater?

An inability to understand Spanish allows for a lack of closure
But I do come to one conclusion:

It was a sad story, but I am grateful to have experienced it

ER

Sorry Coach

Sorry Coach
I can’t pitch today
My brain won’t stop overthinking
and it’s impossible for me
to live in the moment
because my mind rejects the notion

Sorry Coach
I can’t pitch today
It’s a war zone outside
Petty problems are being solved
with guns and knives
and I’m scared a bullet is going to find me
one day

Sorry Coach
I can’t pitch today
The pandemic ruined lives
and the hysteria nearly killed me
What’s normal now is painful and lifeless

Sorry Coach
I can’t pitch today
I come from a beautiful country
But it has a glaring flaw
that overshadows everything
and it makes me sick
because it was my fault
and I can’t undo the trauma

Sorry Coach
I can’t pitch today
Microbloggers threaten me to think a certain way or else
Their condescending tone outweighs the message
and fuels my anxiety

Sorry Coach
I can’t pitch today
There’s too much pressure
to be “The Man”
to have a spine
to have gumption
to “tell it like it is”
to be aggressive
to fight back
I don’t want to do any of that
I was never wired that way

Sorry Coach
I can’t pitch today
Because
I’m scared of getting taken advantage of
I’m scared of failing
I’m scared of being made an example of
I’m scared of getting hurt
I’m scared of dying

Sorry Coach
I can’t pitch today
But I might tomorrow

ER

Spring Training Haikus – 2021 Edition

a new season where
dunedin or buffalo
pretends to be home

starting rotation
could use additional arm
like taijuan walker

george springer starts fresh
after glory and scandal
in astro colours

vladdy still so young
molding his body to reach
his true potential

repeat performance
from teoscar hernandez
hopefully occurrs

ER

Summing up the Blue Jays’ “regular” season with three haiku poems

Many injuries.
Unfortunate losing streak.
Got a playoff spot.

Hard-working bullpen
saved their backsides many times
but it took a toll

And there were moments
where potential was witnessed
with a bright future

***

Time to hand out the “awards.”

Best hitter: Teoscar Hernandez

Best starter: Hyun Jin Ryu

Best reliever: Anthony Bass

***

One other item:

It has been a very unique season. It has featured a new, expanded playoff format, which I personally love and hope will continue.

Yes, they only played a third of what they would usually play. Nevertheless and circumstances aside, it is playoff baseball and the Jays are part of it.

Regardless of how far they go, make sure to savour it and do not take it for granted.

ER

Your services are no longer needed

Stay home

But I had
a really good spring.
I can help this club.

You weren’t going to make the roster.

But there might be
extra spots.

Not for you.

The entire
minor league season
might get cancelled.

Blame the pandemic.

Do I still get a stipend?

Team’s losing money.

But the owner is a billionaire.

Blame the pandemic.

Other teams,
other players
are looking after
their farm systems.

We can’t.

There might not
even be a season.
I have bills to pay.

Blame your union.

I have to eat. I need to eat.
I have to live. I need to live.
I have to play. I need to play.

If I can’t eat
and live
and play,
I will…

Not our problem.

ER

Injured, But Optimistic

I am envious of your optimism

Teach me to live that way

You tore your ACL,
after the second forearm injury,
after the first forearm injury,
after a serious head injury,
after several demotions,
after being undrafted,
and there you stand, holding a half-full glass

Teach me to live that way

Those setbacks would make me bitter, angry
More antisocial than I already am
I would want nothing but isolation and revenge
Setting the field on fire, when you only pounded it

This is why you are paid to pitch and I pay to watch it.

Bottle your positivity
You could sell millions!

Teach me to live that way

I am envious

ER

Top-rated prospect

Electricity; produced by thousands

The young messiah has finally arrived;
with heavy expectations, a legendary pedigree and a high pedestal

We stand when he comes out to stretch,
when a ground ball comes his way and for every at-bat

This is history

The moment of moments

Whip out your phone to capture it

It’s a playoff atmosphere for a late-april match

Cheers rain down for balls; anger for called strikes

One pitch flies high and tight

In our minds, we grab our pitchforks and torches

Line drive down the first base line

An eruption that’s prolonged as he’s removed for a pinch runner

And in true baseball fashion, his teammate with a .179 average hits a walkoff homerun

ER

Spring Training Haikus: The “Tradition” Continues

construction begins
at the spring training complex
where the earth is scorched

the new manager
leads a rebuilding roster
with future promise

fans want young Vladdy
to address his potential
and answer the hype

where does Travis fit
in a packed middle infield
with many options

pitching has questions
mixed with low expectations
and hopes for good health

ER

PS: Here’s another round of Dimsum Stories.