Friday, April 19, 2024

Listening with your eyes open

 

When people find out I listen to 90% of Yankee games on the radio, they are first surprised, next confused, finally shocked. It’s like finding out I lack a basic sense. When what they fail to realize is all the benefits radio has over television and in-person attendance. 

 

The players’ uniforms this year were a major controversy adopted by bored fans with nothing else to complain about. Not something I have to worry about when tuning into the right frequency at gametime. 

 

Streakers disrupt the game. Television avoids showing the culprits. Radio simply can’t. But lengthy descriptions are always welcome. 

 

“The Wave” never enters my mind.  

 

I don’t have to wear sunscreen, unless I choose to bring the radio to the park or beach on a beautiful day.

 

You’re not supposed to cook your own food at the stadium. I can grill easily with a radio in earshot. Grilling indoors has major health risks, so TV is not suitable for the backyard barbecue enthusiasts.  

 

I love driving. You can’t drive onto the field without someone alerting the authorities. Likewise, you can’t safely drive with a portable TV shoved into your tiny glove compartment. It’s for gloves, after all. 

 

When the game is televised on a strange streaming platform, my life and love the sport goes on totally unaffected. Like it never even happened. Amazon Prime, Apple TV, my only choice is between the crispness of FM or the strength of the AM signal. 

 

I can hear people selling beer and pretzels, without worrying about them blocking my view of the game. 

 

And of course, John was never on TV. So radio was the only place I could hear him. 

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