Giving Thanks

November 25th, 2009 | by Ray Flowers |

As we approach our national holiday of thanks in America, a day I like to call Turkey Day instead of the traditional Thanksgiving, I thought I would come up with a list of things that I’m thankful for as I look back over the last calendar year.

I’m thankful for — the greatness that is Albert Pujols and Joe Mauer. Pay close attention to this duo folks. Years from now when you are in your rocking chair on the porch you’ll be able to tell the grand kids about how you witnessed their magnificence with a bat in their hands.

I’m thankful for — my new nephew Yonathan who was born on Monday, the 23rd of November just in time for the holiday. He joins my niece Hermela as the two shinning lights of my brother’s marriage. Not only that, he takes the heat of me for grand children since at the rate I’m going I’ll be lucky if I can find someone to hold my hand on Friday night. OK, it’s not really that bad, but you have to keep a brave face on when your younger brother outdoes you.

I’m thankful for — my computer – when it works. Without it I wouldn’t be able to do my job, though on those rare days that it doesn’t work I wish I was living back in Victorian times, that is until I remember that they didn’t have TiVo back then

I’m thankful for — the 49ers. Even though they are nothing more than average, they remind the Bay Area what football is supposed to look like. They haven’t seen competence with a football team in the East Bay in, well, forever (the Raiders are simply dreadful). How bad is it when there is a legitimate question if the local NFL team could be beaten by a college squad (Stanford certainly could give the Raiders a run for it).

I’m thankful for — my job. Lot’s of good folks don’t have one right now.

I’m thankful for — doctors who have finally stepped up and started to do some real work with players who have head injuries. No longer do we see guys with concussions being treated cavalierly. A bruise to your brain is what it is people, and I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty serious to me.

I’m thankful for — pumpkin pie. I never eat it except at the holidays, but when the parties roll around I’m all about the dessert tray.

I’m thankful for — the San Jose Sharks magnificence in the regular season. Now if I could just add thanks for a wonderful playoff run all would be right in the world.

I’m thankful for — the impending release of our 2010 Baseball Preview Magazine that will be on newsstands prior to Christmas.

I’m thankful for — the continued success of Fanball. Can’t say I’m surprised since that’s what happens to good people who put in an honest day’s work.

I’m thankful for — Thursday night football. Wait, I’m not thankful for that in the least. Worst idea in the history of the NFL as it puts players needlessly at risk of injury just for the sake of a few more bucks, hardly what the NFL needs at the moment.

I’m thankful for — the three point line in the NBA, though I wish that Manute Bol was still slinging up those 25 footers, those were the days.

I’m thankful for — being able to watch Tim Lincecum in person. If you haven’t availed yourself of the chance to do just that put it down as a must do in 2010. The moment he walks on the field you simply cannot look away. He’s mesmerizing in a way that I haven’t seen since Pedro Martinez in his heyday.

And finally—

I’m thankful for — the freedoms that we enjoy as citizens of this great country of the United States of America. We should all be thankful for that.

By Ray Flowers

Tags: 49ers, Albert Pujols, Joe Mauer, Manute Bol, Pedro Martinez, Raiders, Sharks, Tim Lincecum