SIGH

The following is a sports post which I know brings on the yawns for many of you but my heart is hurting so I must continue. Feel free to skip today and just know I am wishing you a spectacular holidays since I won't be posting again till they are over.

For the ones who stuck around, just know my heart is heavy. Those who have been with me a while know I am a huge Miami Marlins baseball fan. Winning is nice but sadly being a true Marlins fan means winning is not necessary to remain a fan. Just so my boys and the owners do their best is all I ask.

This past year wasn't special but we did finish second in a weak division. That was an vast improvement over the previous year. We were on the way up and  had the feeling with just a few more pieces, we "could be contenders" to paraphrase Marlon Brando.

My team has won two World Series over the years and both times the team was dismantled the very next year with all the good players being sold. Sickening.

Our team was recently bought by Derek Jeter's group which we thought would be a positive but he has set about trading off all our good players and dumping salaries as his first move. I get attached to my players and don't take kindly to them being shipped off.  Boo-hiss Derek Jeter.

You are welcome Yankee fans as you now have the national league MVP and 59 home run hitter Giancarlo Stanton in your murder's row lineup. He was first to go.

I always said he was the only player I wanted to see naked and Sports Illustrated obliged.

Bye bye you big beautiful man. Your turns at the plate were can't miss.

You are welcome Seattle Mariners to Dee Gordon. A gold glove caliber fielder, league leading base stealer, spark plug and fun in the dugout asset. I will miss your sparkling double plays, lay out catches, bunt base hits and mile wide grin. Bye, bye Dee.

You are welcome Cardinals as you enjoy a huge arm in the outfield and a consistent power bat at the plate in Marcell Ozuna. You won't be sorry. Bye Big Bear.

The only plus for me is that when we play their new teams, I will get to watch them again and know that they are being treated decently and at least have a real chance of winning a title. They deserve that.

There are others on the block ready to go. Pretty sure Christian Yelich and J T Realmuto will soon be gone. Who ever gets them will be blessed.   Once again we have become the farm team for Major League Baseball.

If they landed on a team you follow, treat my young men well. They will entertain you and bring you joy and extra wins. I'll miss you boys. Sigh.

Thank you for letting me vent. I needed this and feel a smidgen better.

I'm taking a small break from posting but will still be around to visit.  Will see you next year--January 2nd most likely, so I hope you have a marvelous holidays with many smiles, warm hugs and phone calls from those you love.