For many the long-awaited opening of the 2019 National Football League season may have seemed like it would never arrive. The fantasy leaguers had picked their teams, the television talking heads had babbled on since mid-summer giving of their opinions about who was going to do what and the average fan was anxious to see if ‘their team’ was going to give them something to cheer about.

When that weekend finally got here it came with mixed reviews. The Eagles awakened from a first half slumber charging back from a 20-7 deficit to beat the Redskins 32-27. Saquon Barkley thrilled PSU and Giants fans running for 59 yards and a touchdown the first time he carried the ball, but to no avail as the Cowboys beat down the Giants 35-17. That ‘Cleveland Browns in the Super Bowl’ talk received a rude awakening as they were thrashed by the Titans 43-13. The Steelers? Well, they still can’t beat the Patriots, humbly falling 33-3.

Probably the most happy person about that defeat was the troubled, self-absorb Antonio Brown who has made football headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks. Following his distasteful actions with the Steelers last year and with the Oakland Raiders, for whom he practiced twice this pre-season, he signed on with the Patriots the day before the opening game. Although he was not in uniform he no doubt enjoyed the Pats decisive win. It will be interesting to see if Brown will be as big a pain in the backside for the defending Super Bowl champs as he was with his past two employers.

On the collegiate side, yes I know there may be some frustration among some Penn State fans who shell out big bucks and are handed a few helpings of ‘cupcakes’ as they await the arrival of the Big Ten season, but wasn’t that halftime booing of their beloved Nittany Lions a bit much? After a less than an inspiring first half when they trailed Buffalo 10-7 they bounced back to win easily 45-13. Those in the Blue & White uniforms don’t schedule the games, they just play them. Like with any other commodity the buyer can partake or pass.

As all this football frenzy was taking place, similar to the swans annually returning to Capistrano, Jean and I made our seasonal pilgrimage to Pittsburgh for a weekend of Pirates baseball. Call us ‘glutens for punishment’ and you would be correct. Our beloved Buccos are putting the finishing touches on another season of all too many ‘downs’ and not enough ‘ups’. Looking up from the basement of the NL’s Central Division they took on the first-place St. Louis Cardinals and it wasn’t pretty. The Pirates scored one run in eighteen innings of baseball, losing both games.

Sounds like fun? But it was. PNC Park is among the most beautiful venues in the country to watch a baseball game. The weather was cooperative and a few sidebar events provided some memorable moments.

If you are tired of entertainers trying to present their own version of the Star Spangled Banner, you would have loved what took place before Sunday’s game. Steven Brault, a Pirates pitcher, was on the losing end of a 10-1 rout the night before. As disappointing as his night on the mound had been, his time on the field Sunday was magnificent.

Trained in vocal performance during his college days at Regis University, outside of Denver, Brault took to the microphone to sing the National Anthem and absolutely wowed the crowd with a rousing, traditional rendition of the anthem.

It was the second time Brault had sung the anthem at a Pirates game. The first coming last season as a response to something his grandmother had wanted him to do. That performance was so good he was asked to do it again. It was great to see a baseball player excelling in ways beyond the diamond. When the day comes that he hangs up his cleats he surely has a musical career waiting. In the off-season Brault has fronted for a San Diego band known as the Street Gypsies. (You can access Brault’s performance by goggling ‘Steve Brault performs National Anthem on September 8).

During the seventh inning presentation of ‘God Bless America’ a pre-teen young lady received a long standing ovation for her strong rendition of the song. Even Kate Smith would have been proud.

In glancing thru the game program a quote from Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle caught my eye. When asked about his experience at the August 18 MLB Classic at Bowman Field Hurdle responded; “I said the first time we had a chance to do this (in 2017) that this is one of the best things I’ve ever been a part of in the Major Leagues. It’s such a creative thought and it’s been put into play and pulled off with such intentionality. There are so many wins across the board with this for so many people. It’s almost baseball heaven for one day.”

Baseball has brought me, and continues to do so, so many memories that go beyond the wins and losses on the field. As the MLB season winds down to a precious few games my rooting interests for the playoffs have long since evaporated. But Jean keeps reminding me ‘a bad day at the ball park is still a good day indeed.’ That’s contributed to the 55 years we have enjoyed together.