WHAT DO YOUNG PEOPLE THINK ABOUT BASEBALL?

If you want to see the world through a teen's eyes, you have to spend time with middle schoolers. They will straight out tell you what they think of you and what they think about the world.  Last week my nephew came to visit us.  He is definitely an old soul, but still a middle schooler with all of the typical middle school features: cracking voice, sarcastic attitude, extra weight around the middle, and goofy smile.  I love him and the best part is his best friend is my middle school daughter.  They are like Forrest and Jenny; peas and carrots; N and Y.

While we were driving in the car, he randomly decided to list his favorite baseball players of all time.  His list goes like this: (1) Mo; (2) Jeet; (3) Jackie and (4) Tex.  Inquisitively, I asked "Who's Jackie?"  He proudly stated, "Jackie Robinson."  I was floored.  I thought he meant Jackie Robinson, but then said to myself, "no, can't be."  Smart young man to have Jackie Robinson among his favorite players of all time.

It is interesting to hear young people talk about baseball.  My daughter is a Mets fan.  I know, it's awful.  I admit that.  My son is a Yankee fan, but I sort of lost my way with Kate.  She is just so excited that the Mets are in the post season.  She has them in the World Series already.  I reminded her that the World Series is many wins away, but she won't hear me.  She thinks that the fact that the Mets are in it, they will win it.  I don't have the heart to tell her that she may very well be disappointed.

My college son is enamored with the Post Season hats, but he knows the curse of buying one.  I told him back in 2009 that we only buy World Series Champs souvenirs and caps.  The Post Season road is a long one and there are no guarantees.  MLB makes a good chunk of change, however, on Wild Card, AL East, NL West tees and caps.  My son knows better.  He was a middle schooler himself back in 2009.

I saw two college students wearing Mets jerseys walking past my office.  I scoffed at them, "Don't come in here with those on."  They laughed at me.  I am sure they ran back home to Mom to dig those old things out of the cellar. 

There are some bandwagon fans who love to be trendy and there are others who bleed the color of their teams no matter where they end up in October.  My nephew wants a Brooklyn Dodger jersey because he thinks Jackie is an incredible example of hard work.  Yet, his parents say that Yankee fans need to wear Yankee jerseys.  Christmas is coming soon, Michael, and your aunt knows just what to get you.  Because at the end of the day, old souls eat rookie bandwagoners for dinner every time.

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Senior Staff Writer
BYB Hot Stove Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof




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