9/15: Open game thread

September 15th, man. It got late fast didn't it? Pretty soon football will start. It seems like this largely disappointing season has gone on forever but then I blinked and now here we sit, or stand or whatever. Maybe you're planking. Is that still a think idiot kids do? Probably not and do you know why? Because TIME! It rolls ever onward, inexorable, unceasing; Time slowly crushed this season into ash and dust but time will allow the renewing of hope around December.

It's Felix that makes me feel this way. Only he can make the naval-gazing and introspective indulgence so readily attainable. When Ken Griffey Jr. broke into the big leagues at 19 I was only 8 and, although I recognized contextually he was young to be playing professional baseball 19 still seemed very old. Felix is only a few years younger than I am. He's become a man before my eyes; a success so wild that it still seems impossible he's ours. Still, regardless of his legions of accomplishments I worry his baseball life is waning. In fact I don't worry about it, I'm fairly confident of it.

I don't care as much about the lack of playoffs and championships. Those are moments, and those are everywhere, even if they're on a smaller stage. Felix has given us so many moments. The one-hitter in Boston, striking out 4 batters in an inning, striking out the side on 10 pitches, the Perfect Game, the Grand Slam, this:

And so, so, SO many others.

I want more. I don't care if the Mariners lose forever. I don't care if he's not quite the same this year. I'm not ready to stop watching this player, this Man, step on the mound for my baseball team every five days. We have 3 maybe 4 more times this year.

It's been a hell of a frustrating journey this year. But I just don't care. Baseball beats the hell out of everything, and Felix is the most iconic Mariner of this millenium, arguably the finest paragon of athletic virtue this region has ever produced. I love him. Time will get him, and me. But not today. Let's sing, let's drink. Let's enjoy this together, for the few times we have left. The hardest journey is made great with good friends. Piss off, Winter.

Game info

• Angels @ Mariners, 7:10 PM PST, Safeco Field
• TV: ROOT, Radio: 710 ESPN, Online: MLBTV

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