After the 2016 World Series ended in a nationwide outpouring of anguish over the Cleveland Indians’ heart-rending lossin worldwide jubilation over the Chicago Cubs’ victory ending more than a century of frustration, the realization slowly sunk in that another winter without baseball was approaching.
We’re in the thick of that long, agonizing, “wait ’til next year” layoff, but a glimmer of hope flickers in the night: the annual Baseball Solstice is just one week away.
The solstice — the midpoint on the calendar between the last out of the World Series (early the morning of Nov. 3 this year) and the first pitch of exhibition ball at spring training (Feb. 24, 2017, in Arizona and Florida) — will be marked Dec. 30.
For me, the solstice will be sweeter this year. Last year at this time, I was recuperating from surgery for prostate cancer. I just passed a full year without any detectable sign of cancer in me, and I’m mighty grateful for the excellent care I’ve received from my surgeon, and the great support I’ve received from family and friends.
As we head to the new year, I’m hoping for continued good health for many seasons to come. Maybe the Indians will actually win the series one of these years!
The Ball Caps Blog 