Why Baseball is Better Than Christmas

My apologies first and foremost for such a long blogging drought. Working in baseball does not give you much time in the summer for recreational writing. But since it is mid-season for most of the minor leagues and almost to the MLB mid-summer classic, this is the perfect time to share with you how and why the glorious game of baseball is better than Christmas. Why compare it to Christmas? Well today is June 25th, exactly half way to the winter holiday. So, on we go.

5. You don’t have to be “politically correct” in baseball.
Being Catholic, Christmas is just what it is meant to be, the celebration of Jesus’ birth. For me, candy canes and Christmas stars have biblical ties and my favorite carols also have religious sentiments. But because this nation is based on the separation of church and state, we have to watch our step when celebrating Christmas publically. In schools and the workplace, there is no longer Christmas break, but winter break; Christmas trees and stockings are inappropriate. Santa Claus can barely even sneak through without criticism (ironic since he is based on the Saint Nicholas). However, in baseball, there is none of that. Baseball is baseball. Its roots and rules were established long ago and are basically universal wherever it is being played. It is not changed to appease to others beliefs. It is what it is.

4. So many share the spotlight.
With Christmas, you get Santa Claus. He is the star of the show. Of course, he has his supporting cast in Rudolph, Frosty, etc, but jolly ‘ole St. Nick is the star of the season. In baseball, there are countless guys claiming the spotlight. How do you answer to who is the biggest star in baseball? Jeter? A-Rod? Manny? Mauer? Longoria? Ethier? Jiminez? There is no one answer. And even better, there is an abundance of young guns coming up into the majors that are ready to get their piece of the fame; Strasburg, Heyward, Jackson, Stanton are just a few drawing everyone’s attention in their Major League debuts.

3. You can’t match the history.
Christmas is Christmas year after year after year. Every year there are the same events, the same decorations, the same everything. Little has changed in the long, long history of the holiday. America’s pastime is called so because of the history and nostalgia it evokes. I could start naming off all the history and artifacts from the game, but that would take a room full of books to get through. Baseball is not baseball without its vast history and memories.

2. You always get what you want.
Well, except if you’re a Cubs fan…
Everyone has had at least one Christmas morning where they ripped through their presents but were deflated after not finding that one gift they wanted the most. Although always grateful, some Christmases come with a little of a letdown after not getting the one present you most wanted. With baseball, you always get what you want, maybe not within your particular team, but without a doubt in the game itself. Night after night there are pitching duels, walk-off wins, extra innings, grand slams, web gems and on occasion no-hitters and perfect games. There is always something exciting going on, no matter what. For true fans, baseball never disappoints.

1. Baseball is the gift that keeps on giving.
Christmas comes but once a year. Nowadays it is stretched into a month-long excursion, but in reality there is only really about a week of Christmas celebrations. Baseball extends from April to October, or for the Yankees and Phillies last year, even on into November. Before April, you have Spring Training that fuels your fire for some “play ball.” Even in the off-season there are transactions, retirements and all sorts of scandalous going-ons. For those who truly appreciate it, baseball continues on 365 days a year to be enjoyed, to be appreciated and to be cherished.

When it comes to Christmas and baseball, it isn’t even a fair comparison. Nothing can emulate the joy, the emotion, the unpredictability and the euphoria that baseball brings to its biggest fans.