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I don't put much stock in my ability to project. It's nothing scientific, I just go by what my eyes tell me, based on years of watching baseball as an educated fan rather than an expert. My eyes told me Ichiro had lost his edge as a ballplayer last year. He literally was unable to execute many things he previously had been able to do, and he was somewhat bewildered by the experience. All of a sudden he had to face failure on a scale that was beyond his ken to this point. I don't know if it was a slowing of the reflexes, a deterioration of eyesight, just enough to make the difference between success and failure. I guess the real question is what was behind it. I don't know. Was it motivations or was it a skills deterioration? We'll find out this year. Last night, he clearly was both motivated and able to execute, but it is a long season, and he will not always have the special factors that made last night so motivating.
I must admit that all these questions are receding for me a bit. Today, March 28th, was my birthday, but a few minutes after my post to which you responded, I got a call that ended with me taking my mother-in-law from her Memory Care home to the hospital ER, where I spent most of the day. She ended up being admitted to the Critical Care Unit with pneumonia and congestive heart failure, and when we left her this evening she was in critical condition. I'll be back tomorrow morning. We're probably seeing her last days.
The Lord saw fit to bring a special blessing on my birthday, however, because our two grown daughters came to visit grandma at the hospital and I got to see them when otherwise their work would have prevented me from doing so. Also, by his provision my son was home sick today, so I had a car to do what I had to do, which is not normal. Like Robinson Crusoe (a book I am currently re-reading), perspective is everything, and if we have eyes to see it we have much cause for rejoicing and thanksgiving even when events are difficult, for God has built marvelous provision into his creation. Despite its fracture because of sin, yet his forebearing grace can still be discerned.
I am most tired tonight, but I can rest in Christ my Lord. Those who are so inclined please pray for my mother-in-law and my wife. My thoughts are not on Game Two tonight.