As some of you may know, I decided to pull a “Roy Hobbs,” this summer and basically make a pseudo comeback to play in the Metro-West Adult Baseball (over-30) League, for the Framingham Orioles. This was the first summer since 2003 that I played in any organized baseball league, and to be honest, it was a blast.
After two straight seasons of losing in the first round of the play-offs, the Orioles made it to the championship this season vs. the Southborough Cubs. Sadly, in the best out of three play-off, we lost both games of a doubleheader yesterday and our season is over.
That being said, while there are no official awards that are given out at the end of the year, I thought I’d share my final stats and basically anoint myself Sexiest Bastard Ever to Wear Orange Player of the Decade. I guess there’s something to be said about training for strength/performance.
Wins: 7
Losses: 1
Innings Pitched: 67 (and my elbow is completely pissed)
Hits: 28 (only three of which were for extra bases)
Runs: 10
Earned Runs: 6
Walks: 14
Strikeouts: 105
Saves: 1
ERA: 0.80
Girls Who Want to Make Out With Me: countless. Even if I did strike out with the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the 12th inning in a 0-0 game, which would have forced a one game play-off next weekend. Dammit, I suck.
All in all, the point I’m trying to make is that there’s something to be said about training for strength/performance. I look back at how I trained back in college and I wish I could go back and drop kick myself in the pancreas. Back then I never heard of a deadlift, never did any single leg work, thought 3×10 was the holy grail of set/rep schemes, and figured the best way to a six pack was to perform 500 sit-ups before going to bed. Fast forward a few years (of quality training), and I can honestly say that I’m in better shape now then I was in my early 20’s. Not to mention I’m probably throwing just as hard (if not harder) than I was in college. I stopped training like a bodybuilder, and decided to train more like an athlete.
To any high school or collegiate athletes who may be reading this blog, don’t waste your time worrying about what exercise hits the long head of the bicep. Who cares!?! Spend more time trying to get stronger, and I promise not only will you perform infinitely better (in whatever sport you play), but the aesthetics will just be a side benefit. Ie: chicks will want to hang out with you.
