What Baseball is all About

Today Anibal Sanchez, a 22 year old Venezuelan rookie threw a no-hitter against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He's pitching for a very young Marlins team, which has done surprisingly well this year despite their off-season fire sale of talented players. They are only 3 games out of the wildcard race and 4 games ahead of my beloved Braves in the division. Everyone predicted them to finish last this year (and the Braves first...sigh), but this is why we play the games. With the endless talk on sports radio and ESPN one would think the season is over before it begins, but there are always surprises, which is what makes it so much fun.

After he made the final out, his teammates flooded the field and hoisted him on their shoulders. His wife was in attendance and after the game he said: "She was there," his eyes wet with tears of joy. "I don't know, I can't say any more. I love her, I love my family." He'll remeber this for the rest of his life. What a moment for a young athlete. These are the things that make sports exciting. Plus it will take people's minds off the last no-hitter in MLB, Randy Johnson's perfect game against the Braves in 2004.

Congratulations Anibal, and here's to a long career for you.