What have you done for me lately?

Here in St. Louis, Missouri, people live and breath baseball. St. Louis Cardinals baseball. This is Cardinal Nation and home of the greatest player in major league baseball, one Albert Pujols. Now, everyone likes to get a good start off to the beginning of the season, the Cardinals and Pujols included. Only this year, the first week of the season was not so good. The Cardinals lost the season home opener and lost their first two series to the Padres and the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates. Mr. Pujols didn't fare much better and was given some of the blame to the poor start. He was hitting .128 and seemed to be hitting into double plays at an alarming rate. Given that this is the final year of his current contract with the Cardinals, people were starting to question whether or not he deserved the $16 million he is getting, much less the $30 million his agent was shooting for when his contract talks resume at the end of the season.

Was the pressure getting to him finally? Well, the Cardinals and Albert hit the road for the west coast and lo and behold, the Cardinals started winning and El Hombre started hitting! The Cardinals have won 5 of their last 6 games, the last 5 games they have had 14 or more hits. And Mr. Pujols? Well, he has 9 hits in his last 19 at bats, 3 of them home runs, and he has raised his batting average to .241 which is still below .300 but is headed in the right direction. So everyone can calm down and take a sigh of relief. Albert Pujols is hitting again and the Cardinals are making their way to first place in their division. Chill out people! It's a long season.

Wordless Wednesday

When Irish Eyes are smiling

Star date: 03.17.2011

The weather gods are smiling on St. Louis today as a virtual aligning of the planets is taking shape. Behold, on the the same date we will witness 77 degrees of warm and sunshine, the beginning of the NCAA basketball tournament, and St. Patrick's Day. Keep in mind that much of St. Louis is already on spring break. My prediction is there will be lots of people missing from work today, extra long lunches and smoke breaks taken, and plenty of people milling around in downtown St. Louis, bars, restaurants and hotel lobbies around this great city of ours. As for my fellow motorcycle brethren, there will be plenty of bikers on the roads and highways today feeling the fresh air in their faces again as we usher in the beginning of the riding season! Enjoy the day people...enjoy the day!

Wordless Wednesday

Let's ride!

Now that we're into March, the official countdown has begun to spring. By my calendar it looks like only 18 more days. Of course, mother nature could cooperate and give us some warmer days before then, so motorcycle riders, commuters, and weekend warriors will check the weather every day for the temperatures and conditions that look right for them to hit the open road and feel the fresh air in their face. Bikers throughout most of the country have suffered through a harsh winter and with warmer weather coming, the urge to get out and ride becomes greater and greater! If they haven't done so already, it's time to charge the batteries, check the oil, and fill up the gas tank. The highways and byways beckon our call for the rush and freedom that can only be experienced on a motorcycle! So if you are driving in your car or pickup, be sure to watch out for motorcycles and give us a little room. The roads are there for everyone to share and share alike. Let the new riding season begin!

Wordless Wednesday

The Big Thaw

Over the weekend, much of the Midwest saw much warmer temperatures, 40's and even 50's, return to bring some much needed relief to the harsh winter we have had. Snow and ice which have lingered for weeks, finally started to melt and clear the roads and sidewalks for motorists and pedestrians alike. Could our strange friend, the groundhog, actually have been right? Is spring coming early this year? Well, no one can complain about the respite of warm weather that has descended upon us. Most people I know would rather not see another snowflake for a good long time! Now that baseball's spring training is about to begin, all signs are pointing to spring. Of course, one would be foolish to think that there will be no more cold weather between now and March 21st, the official beginning of springtime. As a motorcyclist, I used this past weekend as a time to clean out the garage and charge up the battery on my bike for my first ride of the year. On Sunday, I ventured out for a 50 mile ride and saw lots of other motorcyclists had the same idea. Except for some wet patches of road every now and then, due to the snow melt, it felt great to be back out on the open road feeling the wind and fresh air on my face. Come on March, let's put winter behind us once and for all. Let the riding season begin!