Back to 82…

As many of you were impacted, last Sunday there was an impactful snowstorm here in Columbus, OH. I could not get out of my apartment, so I decided to hole up and play Strat-O-Matic baseball for 12 hours. It was luxurious and was great for my nervous system. I played my 1981 replay, which got me thinking – what about 1982?

1982.

I was seven, king of the local wiffleball yard (which was my backyard), days were spent palling around with my friends and playing until the street lights came on. Then maybe a game of sneaks, stayovers where we traded baseball cards, and to do it all again the next day. Even in school. It was baseball all the time.

1982 baseball.

Rose. Parker. Winfield. Ryan. Harvey’s Wallbangers. Whitey’s crew. An amazing World series. Pennant races. The Angels, Brewers, Cardinals, Braves all are good. Games separated teams from first and third place.

And the Yankees. And Reggie.

Reggie was my guy. Always will be. I went to the Stadium for my 7^th birthday to see Reggie. The Yanks won on a walk-off HR by Jerry Mumphrey in the ninth, 6-5. Reggie went 2-4. And I thought the Yankees were amazing and going to win the world series. Damn. Street and Smith picked them first. “The New York Yankees will win the division title, American League Championship, and World Series. Game, set, and match. The Yankees have quality players at every position and experienced depth behind them, but it will be no cakewalk. Steinbrenner might have to sit back and relax and enjoy what could be the best New York Yankee team he’s ever assembled.”

It wasn’t. 79-83. Finished fifth.

I am amazing grateful for the opportunity to play this replay out here. Thank you for following. I will play all the Yankees games first and report on them in the next month.

Until The Dukes of Hazzard horn stops whistling dixie…..