Imagine a game where Marco Gonzales arrives with absolutely no command on his 4-seamer; where there are two inning-ending base-running mistakes; where horrible news breaks about the health of a fan favorite pitcher with ace-caliber stuff. That sounds pretty bad right?
It’s a good thing that game didn’t happen. Today’s matchup between the Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners was called off, though not due to weather, as many had assumed prior to the game.
No, the decision not to play was reached by former teammates and de facto team captains Kyle Seager and Nelson Cruz, who met up and embraced on the field an hour before the scheduled start time. The two caught up on life and chatted about the drizzly weather, speculating on whether the game would be called off.
The conversation quickly turned to the good times the pair shared in Nelly’s tenure with the Mariners, and others from both teams started to quietly gather round the veterans to be regaled with their tales, both tall and true. The game where Seager hit two home runs and Cruz a third, of course, but there was also the one about the time they played hide-and-seek in the All-Star Club.
“Remember all those times you used to leap into my arms, Nelly?” Kyle asked, his biceps cringing at the memory.
“I sure do, pal,” Cruz replied, his belly laugh echoing through the nearly-empty stadium.
When home plate umpire Laz Diaz came over to try and wrangle the players, it became clear that they were far too transfixed on yarns about the Mariners of yore to have even the slightest interest in playing a game of baseball. His rage was palpable, watching these two teams that were supposed to be facing off in fierce competition, fraternizing like a bunch of friends in a bar.
“You know what, Kyle,” Cruz intoned, noticing at last the gathered crowd and Diaz’ looks of futile anguish, “do you really think we need to play today?”
“It sure is rainy, bud,” Kyle nodded. “Let’s just play tomorrow.”
This move was particularly heartbreaking for Twins fans, many of whom made special plans for the team’s home opener. Ultimately, though, their love for Boomstick overcame their disappointment.
And besides, who knows what tomorrow’s weather will bring?