Pitchers and catchers report to White Sox spring training today, as players and fans alike embark on the next season of the rebuilding process.
It’s here! This is not a normal, run-of-the-mill Tuesday. It’s a Tuesday full of love, hope, and beauty. Yes, Wednesday is Valentine’s Day, but that’s not why there’s so much love and so many good vibes surrounding us. Tuesdayis the day White Sox pitchers and catchers report to Camelback Ranch. It’s beautiful. The stadium. The facilities. The weather. The love of the game. It’s all so beautiful!
On a cold day in the Chicagoland area after what felt like a yearlong snowstorm, Spring and Summer no longer feel so far away. Halfway across the country, the White Sox are laying on perfectly landscaped grass, stretching. The smell of newly broken-in leather fills the nostrils of those eager players.
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The “pop” of those same gloves, the buzzing of seams cutting through the air, and stereotypical baseball smack talk create a magnificent symphony of summer sound. This musical number can only mean one thing: Tuesday is the day pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training. The new season is upon us.
There’s a renewed feeling of hope and excitement as White Sox 2018 camp begins.
As a White Sox fan, this year feels different from most. The rebuild isn’t some far-off, abstract process anymore. It’s in full effect, and will gain plenty of momentum this year. I even argued last week that it will gain more momentum and see an influx of more players than most people likely think. I feel a sort of youthful exuberance with the beginning of this baseball season. Perhaps this is due to the sheer amount of young faces peppering Camelback Ranch. Or, maybe it’s because the rebuild itself feels like we are unwrapping a brand new toy on my version of Christmas morning.
Honestly, being a few years removed from the oddly dramatic Drake LaRoche saga builds the optimism a bit more as well. There isn’t any drama facing current players this year. The absurdity of the Esteban Loaiza arrest feels distant and otherworldly. It does not feel like a distraction. It feels like a preview of the next season of Narcos, but it’s not a distraction. There are not yet any distractions coming into this season. The focus is simply to improve. Hopefully, that will remain the case.
Next: Real Key Questions for White Sox 2018 Spring Training
Of course, it’s a long season, and things happen. Ideally, the “things” this year are some wins, some exciting player promotions, and a growing feeling of hope. Free agency and the myriad of trades during the offseason are plenty exciting. Well, the offseason is usually exciting. Either way, as of Tuesday, the new season is on! Make sure to take some time Tuesday to get a mental break from the cold and bask in the glory that is this marvelous day!