Baseball is Back

In this episode – Baseball is Back . . .

I must confess I'm a huge fan of the Chicago Cubs. Who else but a true fan would willingly watch a Spring Training baseball broadcast on The Marquee Sports Network, especially when it's one of their first broadcasts? Casual baseball fans would say, “It's a waste of time; these games don't mean a thing.”

I disagree. It's an opportunity to sit back, enjoy the rhythm and sounds of the game, and reminisce. Living in Southern California, we have several baseball teams to choose from, including the San Diego Padres, the Angels of Anaheim, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and, with a road trip, the San Francisco Giants. People ask me, why the Cubs? The answer is simple: My Dad was a Cubs fan (everyone called him Doc), and baseball was a big part of my childhood. The sounds of baseball were everywhere - on the barbershop radio – while playing baseball with the Heller boys and at the local ball diamond where I watched my Dad play.

So this afternoon, I had a crazy idea - what if I ask Gemini AI to craft a poem about Spring Training baseball and the Cubs? I wonder what it would come up with - well, folks, here it is.

Baseball is Back!

In Mesa, where the sun shines bright,

The Cubs return with all their might.

Spring training's here, a joyous scene,

As baseball dreams take center green.

The crack of bats, the pop of gloves,

A symphony of sounds that fans love.

Young Suzuki, sprinting down the line,

While Nico muscles up a fine,

Home run shot that soars so high,

It paints a smile across the sky.

Merryweather throws with laser heat,

While Wisdom dives, his glove meets feet,

With perfect grace, a grounder snagged,

The crowd erupts, their voices ragged.

From bleachers loud to sunny stands,

The spirit of the Cubs – expands.

Each day a test, each swing a chance,

To build a team, take a winning stance.

For soon they'll head north, Wrigley awaits,

Where history whispers through its gates.

So let the games in Mesa play,

As Cubs fans dream of a brand-new day.

For spring's a time of hope renewed,

It’s Chicago Cubs baseball, don’t be rude!

Yes, I’ll admit it’s a little hokey, but what the “HE–double toothpicks”? It’s a fun way to experiment with what you can do with AI.

And it reminds me of Dad.

I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.

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