Throwing Out the First Pitch

It is Opening Day Weekend in Washington.  This is my favorite time of year.  It is the time when all things are possible.  No one can say with any certainty who will be left standing at the end of the season.  The only certainty is the unpredictability of the outcome.  It is (home) Opening Week for the Washington Nationals and Opening Week for the presidential election season. 

Spring training is over and the regular season has begun.

The primary campaign season is over and the general election season has begun.

Throughout the pre-season, eager ballplayers, both new and returning, showed off their skills in the hopes of making the final roster.

Throughout the primary season, eager politicians, both new and returning, showed off their skills in the hopes of making the national ticket.

Fans cheer for the players that get their uniforms the dirtiest.  They like to see hustle.

Fans cheer for the dirtiest candidate.  Voters are getting hustled.

Some promising players had their dreams of making the big leagues cut short by injury this spring.

Some promising players had their dreams of making the big leagues cut short by self-inflicted injury this season (I’m looking at you, Rick Perry).

Some players arrived at camp out of shape and ill-prepared for the rigors of a major league season.

Some candidates arrived to the campaign out of shape and ill-prepared for the rigors of a major national campaign (I’m looking at you, Tim Pawlenty).

Every year, a surprise player has a great preseason, never to be heard from again.

Every 4 years, a surprise candidate has a great primary surge, never to be heard from again (I’m looking at you, Paul Tsongas, Bill Bradley, and Herman Cain).

Some of these wannabes will have their pre-season miscues play endlessly on YouTube.

Some of these wannabes will have their primary season miscues play endlessly on YouTube (I’m looking at you, Michelle Bachmann).

The money that professional players make these days is obscene, and it cheapens the game.

The money that professional candidates take these days is obscene, and it cheapens the process.

If a player’s career doesn’t pan out, they can always get a gig in broadcasting.

If a candidate’s career doesn’t pan out, they can always get a gig in broadcasting.

Sometimes the only thing a player needs to win is a lucky bounce.

Sometimes the only thing a candidate needs to win is a lucky gaffe.

The season can seemingly drag on forever.

The season can seemingly drag on forever.

Nothing really matters until a champion is crowned on the field in November.

Nothing really matters until a President is elected from the field in November (actually, control of the Senate may even matter more).

Batter up.