Pitchers and Catchers Ready To Report: It Means Much More Than Playing Catch

Last Friday, I found myself at the Phoenix Airport waiting for my connecting flight to Las Vegas. As I waited, it dawned on me that pitchers and catchers flights would be arriving to Phoenix in less then a week.  

Some see the start of spring training as a bunch of players stretching, running, and playing catch.

For me, it means so much more. It doesn't have anything to do with new hope, but it has everything to do with the start of baseball. The greatest sport in the world.  

For those of you who know me, I am a huge sports fan. I love football, basketball, and I even enjoy an occasional hockey game. That said, baseball is clearly my favorite sport.

Once I hear the first sound of the bat hitting the ball, every other sport takes a back seat to baseball.

There are plenty of people who would rather watch hockey in February over baseball. To them I say, enjoy your hockey game. People have called me nuts for saying I would rather spend a week in Mesa at Cubs camp over almost any other sporting event.  

Last October, I stated that the regular season won't mean as much to me as it did in years past.

The goal is to win a World Series. I stand by that statement.

Regardless if the Cubs win the next five World Championships, the start of spring training will never get old.  

Speaking as a die-hard baseball fan, the start of spring training will always excite me.

Baseball has been my favorite sport for nearly 25 years and that will never change.

There's something special about the words, "pitcher and catchers report."   If you're a true die-hard baseball fan you know where I am coming from.