Abp Listecki: Thoughts of Baseball and the Brewers

Last Thursday I participated in a tailgate party which preceded the Brewers-Dodgers baseball game. It was sponsored by the Catholic Herald. Brian Olszewski and his staff acted as hosts. Brats, hot dogs and hamburgers, coleslaw, pasta salad and fresh fruit filled the menu. More than 200 people crowded under a tent at the parking lot of St. Florian parish.

Our Auxiliary Bishop, Donald Hying, was also present. It was Bishop Hying’s birthday, and voices serenaded him. It was a beautiful day in the low 80s with plenty of sunshine. The Brewers have been on a roll, so that enhanced the camaraderie. Miller Park was so close that many walked to the stadium.

Baseball is the American pastime. Although football, basketball and even soccer have gained and captured the attention of the American public in the last couple of decades, baseball occupies that traditional sentiment of a time when the country was innocent and fresh. Teams would barnstorm across the nation playing in various towns. A great hero like Babe Ruth seemed to transcend reality, and people would forget their troubles and become lost in the figure of “The Babe.”

There wasn’t the glitz that accompanies modern sports personalities and teams today. The media were limited, so there was always a hunger for news about one’s favorite team by printed sports stories, radio or word of mouth. Modern sports utilize every aspect of social media to promote the sport. Because of that the game is seen as a business, and that diminishes the natural attraction.

One thing is for certain: When your team is winning, everyone feels good. The Milwaukee Brewers are doing great. Unfortunately, this past Thursday the Brewers lost facing the Dodgers’ best pitcher. I love the hitting aspect of the game, and the Brewers’ bats were silent.

Despite the loss, this is a good year for Brewers fans. I predicted at the beginning of the season that the Brewers would win their division and be in the playoffs. Could we possibly have a pennant or a World Series title? What a year 2011 would be for Wisconsin professional sports – a Packers Super Bowl championship and a Brewers World Series. We can dream!

It was a treat to be with parishioners at a baseball game, support the Catholic Herald and dream of a pennant. Sports help us to suspend our troubles, engage in competition and support our home team. As I left Miller Park to return to the real world I was thankful for the brief escape, never forgetting to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

 Living Our Faith

Amen!  Great article!  I'm sure the Packers comment was a hard one to swallow for our dear archbishop as they beat his Bears on the way to win it all.  But as for baseball, he grew up a White Sox fan is happy to see the northsiders lose a few to the Crew.