Backyard Baseball

You know what I miss? Backyard Baseball. It saddens me to think that 99% of the children who have lived in this world did not get to play Backyard Baseball. I'm really craving it right now. I only remember bits and pieces. I remember Pablo Sanchez (aka "The Secret Weapon") clear as day. I used to bat him cleanup (where else?) and I remember that his walk up song would probably not be considered politically correct today. I used to bat most of my guys with an open stance. Don't ask me why, it was just how I played the game. Although now I would probably change up the batting stances of my lineup consistently, there is something to be said for the open stance. Gary Sheffield. Mark Texiera. The Greek God of Walks, Mr. Kevin Youkilis. There are men out there who work the open stance and hit for some motherf-ing power. But when it comes down to it, I love those guys that stand close to the plate. Chase Utley would be a great example. Go big or go home. If that means getting hit by a pitch to take one for the team, so be it. Where was I? Ah yes, Backyard Baseball. I remember when they started introducing Major League players in the newer additions. Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Pudge Rodriguez, Curt Schilling, and Randy Johnson were all most definitely there. I'm sure there were others, but I actually would like to give myself a pat on the back for that one. Got a memory like an elephant. I'm currently writing a cover letter in hopes of interning at MLB.com this summer and I almost want to mention Backyard Baseball as one of the many catalysts that led to me becoming infatuated with America's pastime. I learned "we wanna batter, not a broken ladder" from that game. Strat-O-Matic was fantastic and I owe a lot to that game but Backyard Baseball has a special place in my heart.