The Baseball Beer

Like most of the dumb things I do, I can’t really tell you why I did it. It wasn’t so much denial, as it was defiance. I was bummed that baseball season was coming to a close. On the last day of the 2013 season, I came home from the ballpark (the O’s ended on a high note – defeating the Red Sox 7-6) and enjoyed a couple of brews – Orioles-themed Natty Bohs, to be exact. At some point in the evening, I was down to one.

But I couldn’t bring myself to drink it.

Somehow, finishing the last orange can in my fridge was too painful a reminder that the Orioles would be dormant for six months. The season itself was a good one, but disappointing. Manny had injured his knee, and the Orioles had played meaningful games in September… only to come up short.  After shocking the world in 2012, the Orioles would not be returning to the playoffs.

The beer remained in my fridge throughout the week, and then through the weekend. Every time I opened the fridge, I saw it, and it brought a smile to my face. My baseball beer. And so the beer became a fixture in the fridge. My wife thought I was an idiot (I was) – she was quick to point out that the beer wasn’t that good to begin with, and if I left it too long, it would be disgusting when I opened it. I was willing to take that chance.

Days turned to weeks, weeks, gave way to months… but my baseball beer remained. Eventually, I came to understand why I was saving it. I was going to drink it when baseball came back.  This baseball beer had become the bridge from the 2013 season to the 2014 season.

The 2014 Orioles season began on Monday, March 31st. 183 days after I put it in the fridge, my baseball beer fulfilled its destiny. It was delicious. It tasted of hops, and hope, and Orioles Magic. The Orioles rewarded me for my absurdity by winning their first division championship in 17 years. So of course I loaded my fridge with a baseball beer on the day the Orioles were swept out of the ALCS.

Opening day is drawing closer, and my baseball beer is calling. I’ve moved it from the back of the fridge to the door. Next Monday, before heading down to Baltimore for my annual Opening Day pilgrimage, I’ll start my day with my baseball beer – the bridge between the 2014 season to that of 2015. I look forward to the hops and hope.

I fully expect the Orioles to provide the magic.