I Haven’t Looked Forward To A World Series This Much Since I Was A Boy

The World Series kicks off (tips off? first pitches itself off?) in just a few hours, and I can't wait.

Look, I get it. There's a real sense in which we aren't really watching baseball anymore. Designated hitters, ghost runners, invisible walks, gaudy big bags, oven mitts... and replay — because it is super important that we get the calls right. And by that we mean if a ball called foul is reviewed to be fair, the umpire will point around the diamond saying "... and you woulda gone there and he woulda gone there..." Such is modernity.

But blame all that on the suits. On the field, I don't believe we have ever witnessed a greater collection of ballplayers. And the greatest collection of great players are contracted to the Los Angeles Dodgers. These fellas play the game the right way. They play hard and with smiles on their faces. And even better, they play up to the moment.

The greatest of these greats is the Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani. In fact, there is no doubt in my mind that Ohtani is the greatest of all the greats. The greatest ballplayer who ever lived. After his performance in the National League Championship Series, where he struck out 10 from the mound and hit three monster home runs from the plate, I don't know how anyone could argue otherwise.

Last year, Ohtani awkwardly injured his left shoulder in Game 2 of the World Series. Although he powered through what would later require surgery, we were deprived of his true greatness at the plate. And yes, only at the plate — you'll recall the year prior he required surgery after yoinking his right elbow. There was no pitching in 2024.

I'm hoping for pitching in Game 4.

Blake Snell takes the bump tonight. An underrated, all-time stud in his own right. In the first, he's guaranteed to face superstars George Springer and Vlad Guerrero Jr. This is can't-miss TV.

But when Ohtani is on the screen, don't even blink. This is something else. This is magic at any moment.

I have been lucky to see some greats in my day. But even luckier to have been born at a time to witness the likes of Bo Jackson, Michael Jordan, and now Shohei Ohtani. All three are more than what one can see on the stat sheets. Or even in highlight films.

They have to be experienced to be truly known and understood. They have to be witnessed in the moment. And as Bo knows, a moment can end in a blink.

Maybe baseball ain't your thing. But if you like magic, tonight might be your night.

Give it a shot.

Enjoy the show.

Now Play Ball!