An End of An Era?

Tonight is game four of the Yankees/Angels series.

Even though the Yankees are currently leading the game and should tie the series, tonight is perhaps the last game at Yankee Stadium for Bernie Williams.

Williams has played in the majors for fifteen years, all of them in pinstripes. He has won multiple Gold Gloves, played in multiple All Star games, and was ALCS MVP in 1996.

He also happens to be baseball's true renaissance man. In addition to being the Yankee's all-time leader for post-season homeruns, he also recorded a jazz album a few years back and is known to read books without pictures.

But in the circle of life, there is always new talent to replace him. And from the appearance of things, his name is Robinson Cano.

Cano is a rookie second baseman. It's unbelievable to think that this kid was born when Reagan was going through his first mid-term elections. I need to hurry up and print my "Can You Cano" t-shirts before somebody else nabs my idea and makes a million dollars.

Just a quick thought since it's been a long weekend and I'm in serious need of some rest:

I enjoy baseball not just for the on-field play and dugout shenanigans. As a whole, baseball is a symbol for perpetual regeneration. It's no coincidence that the season begins in Spring, the season of birth and new life. And as the season comes to a close each October, the calendar year is not far behind. The dormancy of Winter will soon give way to Hope Springs Eternal.

I'm not sure if Stephen King still abides by this ritual, but I once read that at the end of each baseball season, he will put away his razor and shaving cream until the Spring. The beginning of baseball season is the time of year for a fresh start and a clean slate. What better way to signal a new year than by ridding yourself of a five-month old beard?

Or, maybe as an avid Red Sox fan, Tabitha (his wife) necessarily hid all sharp objects as he faced the cold and depressing months.