Pumped up

Oh hell, who cares about anything else? I’m inspired again this morning! Oh, the long dearth through which I’ve sat so impatiently. I’m already feeling it in the kitchen, as I begin making pancakes, see there isn’t any milk, and then chuckle about why I’d be making pancakes anyway on a day when no one’s around. Next I’m eyeing the paper and start reading it. I don’t have to rush to get my time because, as far as I know, there will not be anyone home ALL DAY. Then I read about the Twin’s latest win that came from a pitcher making his major league debut. I love debut games. Love debut stories of any kind.

Matt Fox left in the sixth inning after giving up a run-scoring single that tied the game. He was upset and he slammed his glove around.

I still don’t know much about the 27 year-old pitcher – his history or any of that, but I was bowled over by what coach Ron Gardenhire said about him:

“A lot of young guys in their first start would probably sit back and go, ‘Wow, I’m glad I’m out of there.’ But he was frustrated because he gave up that run and that tells you a little bit about his character and that tells you a little bit about his heart.”

Man. How cool it would be to have a coach like that. To have your frustration seen as character and heart. That frustration that comes of really, really wanting to do your personal best.

Mia, bless her heart, is the reason no one’s home. Angie and Henry spent the night at her place last night, and she’s babysitting there, keeping Henry for the day. She was over yesterday to pick some things up in preparation for the weekend stay, and told me she’d been crabby. I said, “Me too.” I said, “I think you get crabby when things aren’t right in your life and you want to set them right.” She didn’t seem too excited about that observation; thinks her life is going along pretty well at the moment. Maybe it’s just me.

But I let Coach Gardenhire pump me up and I’m not going to fret over the need of it today. Don’t we all need to get pumped once in a while?

I can just imagine how this rookie had to get pumped up for his debut game, how he would have that feeling in him of all the preparation he’d done, and of his own readiness, and how he’d feel he wouldn’t know if he was ready until he did the thing, and then how frustrated he’d feel about giving up that run that got him pulled…not because he failed…but because he’d seen what he could do.

This is what I love about baseball and life (sometimes).

St. Paul Pioneer Press, Fill-in gives Twins a lift. Kelsie Smith, 9-4-2010, 5B.