This is when we rally together. I had written a draft of this entry where I criticized everything from Pierre still batting second (move Martin to that slot IMO), to Kent looking like he has a piano strapped to his back when he runs.

But I’m not going to go there.

It’s easy for even the most optimistic to get negative after watching yesterday’s game, to see the specific flaws instead of the whole picture (kind of like when you look in the mirror and only see the zit on your chin even though it takes up a miniscule part of your whole freaking face). But I am going to make a conscious decision to stay positive, at least for the time being and with this entry.

Love it or hate it, this is our team. Our outfield, our manager, our LOB #’s, our lack of power. It’s all ours. And whether you’re Yankees fans, Cubs fans or Dodgers fans, we have all shared this feeling. We are all the same.

Our respective rosters are made up of men. Just men. And yes, they have bad days.

The outfielder misses the catch and can’t find his comfort zone.

The ump misses the call at second.

The batter misses the squeeze play.

The reliever blows the game.

The batter strikes out looking for the third out with the bases loaded.

The GM overestimates.

The manager puts in the PH three batters too late or leaves his pitcher in too long.

Every fan of baseball has felt exactly what we, as Dodgers fans, are feeling right now. And I don’t know about you, but I find solace in that.

“Whenever I see an erring man, I say to myself I have also erred . . .”
– Gandhi

“If the world were perfect, it wouldn’t be.”
– Yogi Berra

Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
ALYSSA

Updated at 1:28 pm PT Tuesday with Sweepstakes info below


With a dark cloud of controversy hovering over baseball, Jason Giambi was recently brave enough to say “I was wrong for doing that stuff” and for a brief moment the sun came out.

He went on to say:

“What we should have done a long time ago was stand up -– players, ownerships, everybody -– and said: ‘We made a mistake’”.

And then, with the news that the commissioner’s office would be investigating Giambi’s statements, the wind blew the dark cloud back to its resting place. With his honesty, Giambi has opened himself up to being suspended (if they can prove when he took the steroids) and the Yankees could void his contract. So . . . essentially he could be penalized for being truthful and making his voice heard in a time when everyone else has chosen to plead the Fifth.

We’re a pharmaceutical nation. In between acts of our favorite shows, every other commercial is selling a drug trying to ease what ails us. Allergies. Restless Leg Syndrome (I’m sorry, what?). Cholesterol. Impotence. Pop a pill and we will feel better.

We are youth obsessed. Creams to make you look younger. Plastic surgery. Botox. In my industry, it’s hard to find a woman over 50 that hasn’t had some procedure to try and recapture the physical appearance of her prime. In my opinion, it’s an epidemic. So . . . why wouldn’t athletes look to try and regain the physical ability of their prime? It is a sign of the times. We’re in an era when it’s easier to look for the quick fix. We’re in an era when we’re all looking to slow down the hands of time. We are in an era when natural ability just isn’t good enough.

Also, the ambition and responsibility to excel day in and out for these players is overwhelming. Should it be a surprise that they would look for something to speed healing time, prolong their careers, and make them stronger?

A grand jury, a congressional committee, a tell all book and still . . . this topic is being white washed by the league and the players union. Perhaps, this is a direct reflection of the trickle down effect of our government’s capacity to cover up and deflect the major issues that face us politically. Perhaps, it’s true what my brother says: “Baseball is a mirror to our country.”

Before MLB can solve this issue they need to recognize the problem and apologize for it. If any employee of any major entertainment corporation were to act inappropriately and offend or alienate their audience, the CEO would apologize on behalf of the company. Why is it so hard for Bud Selig to say, “I apologize for the steroid era. We made a mistake with our complacency and we are taking the appropriate measures to make sure the future game of baseball is played with dignity and integrity.”

Yes, Giambi may have made some bad choices throughout his career but I must admit, as a purist fan of baseball, I have a newfound respect for the man.

Giambi has shown dignity with his honesty.

Giambi has shown integrity with his candor.

His statements shouldn’t be investigated . . . they should be applauded.

Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa

PS, thanks to everyone who just tuned in for my appearance today on the MLB.com "Bottom Line" show! We talked at length about my brand-new touch by Alyssa Milano Ultimate Fan Sweepstakes, which you'll see around MLB.com over the next month. Win a big Dodger package and meet at the ballpark with yours truly, or $150 worth of touch merchandise, or maybe a sign baseball. Enter now!