From the Windup: A Time for Optimism

From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday.

Pitchers and catchers are reporting to camp.

Ah, soak it in. The wait is over. Baseball season is on the horizon. After a long, cold winter offseason, there is a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

The day spring training opens is baseball's version of New Year's. You can make a resolution and no one can prove that you won't stick to it. Sure, most of the time resolutions last a mere few weeks, just as hope for many baseball teams runs out by July.

That's not important right now, though, because we're living in the present: a day of renewed hope. As a fan, nothing can bring you down (well, unless a star player for your favorite team suffers an injury -- but we've all been fortunate on that front thus far).

Fans of other teams taunt you? Those are just words, nothing more.

The roster doesn't look as strong as last year or the team doesn't appear to have improved enough? Nothing has ever been won on paper or via computer.

While it's easy for fans of last year's playoff teams and a litany of others to be optimistic for about 2010, the unique part of P&C day is that the positivity can be extended to anyone. Remember, the '08 Rays gave hope to all those teams people perceived to have no chance entering the season. In that vein, what unknown team is going to bust through and unexpectedly make a World Series run?

Why not the Washington Nationals? Maybe Jason Marquis and Chien-Ming Wang put it together and provide veteran leadership while John Lannan pitches to potential, Stephen Strasburg takes the league by force and Jordan Zimmermann makes a miraculous return down the stretch. With Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn anchoring the offense and Drew Storen taking over as a dominant closer, they could be much better. It could happen. It's a time for optimism.

Why not the Kansas City Royals? They have one of the most dominant starters in the league. They have a dominant closer. They play in a relatively weak division. Maybe Alex Gordon becomes the next George Brett while Billy Butler continues his growth. It could happen. It's a time for optimism.

Why not the Pittsburgh Pirates? Maybe all their young players explode and the team decides not to trade anyone this time around.

Why not the Baltimore Orioles? Maybe the the veterans hang on and the young players develop quickly, while the Yankees and Red Sox suffer through a slew of injuries and the Rays are forced to shed payroll.

Why not the Toronto Blue Jays? Well, they have plenty of young starting pitching and maybe the aforementioned injuries make the AL East a two-horse race between the O's and Jays (hey, it's wishful thinking).

The point is any fan can believe whatever he or she wants. Anything can happen. The future is not written just yet.

As for me? It's been 102 years since my beloved Cubs have won the World Series. I don't know how or why this year will be any different, but, dammit, it will. It's time to end this ridiculous curse nonsense and 2010 is the year.

You disagree? I don't care.

Spring training is here and optimism is in the air. I'm breathing it all in. There are plenty of other days during the course of the season for negativity. For today, I recommend you check the pessimism at the curb and join in.

Why will your favorite team make a run at the World Series championship? There's no wrong answer.

After all, it's a time for optimism.