The nature of sports coverage continues to change and this year more than ever we get almost instant updates from spring training. ESPN New York has a Yankee blog in the tradition of the Lo-Hud blog and of course there is MLB.TV and twitter and a host of fine Yankee sites. It is impressive all this information but I often feel turned in the other direction, wanting to know less and not more. I crave a sense of mystery and discovery, an illusion that I find spoiled by too much analysis.
I don’t have much interest in worrying about Ivan Nova after two spring training starts. On the other hand, I appreciate that this news is out there, just like I find comfort in the 24-hour pharmacy around the way. I may not visit but I’m glad to know it exists.
The MLB Network has exhibition games on all afternoon. Enjoy.
[Picture by Bags]
Growing up in a simpler time, I can recall frantically searching for any tidbit from spring training. Usually, the only constant source was 10 seconds of highlights on the evening news or the occasional game broadcast on WPIX. As a result, that exposure was like an oasis in the desert.
Although I agree that the overexposure has almost made Spring Training mundane (the meaning of the games do not measure up to the intensity of coverage), I find it hard to turn away. However, I find myself using baseball more as background music during the month (i.e., following it, but not with the same manic intensity). In some ways, it's almost like Spring Training for me. I am ratcheting up the amount of time I dedicate to following the game, but ramping my emotional investment more slowly.
I feel you, Alex. I find myself controlling my Yankee-intake this spring training more than past years. For me, what I'm trying to avoid is setting any expectations. If ARod has a great spring, or Jeter has an awful one, I shouldn't start setting any expectations.
Stuff like David Robertson hurting his foot is something I'd like to know, anything that's beyond knowing about an injury to a key player/prospect then I think this year I will pass.
Jesus, people, it's baseball!
After five months of Darkness and Death I am thrilled just to see green grass and hear the crack of the bat!
I feel myself, with them, coming back to life!
I agree. Getting daily info is counter-productive. Just how much can we conclude from the events of ONE day of ST? Injury... sure. A mamouth HR? Nice to hear about it. But I'd rather hear around once a week how someone is doing, because that sample size might actually have some meaning. And news would be welcome at that point.
I mean, I love Yankee baseball... but how exciting is it to know that one of our minor leaguers ACTUALLY threw 2 innings of BP?
I don't follow spring training with the same obsessive gusto in which I pursue the regular season. However, my morning cup of coffee starts with Lohud no matter what or where. I can feel my engine revving up for opening day and I take solace in the fact that there is baseball somewhere as well as on the horizon.
I also enjoy hearing about the minor leaguers and their developments. I don't take too much stock in the player's performances because time and time again, spring training has proved to be a inaccurate measure for the regular season and like Dimelo, I need not get my hopes up.
And, of course we can't forget the jewel that is Bronx Banter, my cyber home away from home.