July 31st: Worst Day of the Year

July 31: Worst Day of the Year July 31st might be the most depressing day of the year. July, a month that epitomizes summer, is only hours from being over.Young students realize that the end of summer/freedom is near. If you keep up with the nation's pass-time, this day ends any innocence, hope or glee you may have had in your life. The trade deadline is the only holiday I know of that glorifies the obliteration of the middle-class (and happiness). The majority of us are stuck watching a middle class team with an incomplete roster. Sure there are a few bright spots, but we know deep down that our team doesn't have the bullpen or the hitting or the full rotation necessary to play in October. We don't care. It's fun to walk into PNC park and know that if McLouth gets hot you could steal a W. It's fun to see Griffey play in Cincinatti--even if the Reds are ten games back. That's what summer is about. It is a season that fully condones grown men taking off work to drink beer and wear brightly colored caps. It is a season that ships athletic millionaires thousands of miles to play with balls and sticks. It is a season that is wholly uncomfortable to do yardwork in, yet it beckons us to its Yards. It is completely illogical. It is beautiful. Until July 31st. That's when baseball teams try to be logical (a wasted pursuit). That's when a man in an expensive suit decides that three minor league players you've never heard of are better than a star you grew up with. That's when a playoff berth in three years becomes more important than a cool August twilight. July 31st is the end of the fun baseball season. From August onward, baseball is about pennant races, contract years, polished trophies, egos and rivalries. You wanna have fun? See you next April! For most of us, the best we can hope for is trading our teams best player for a few prospects from a contender. July 31st tries desperately to make us give up on this game that we love. July 31st tells us to be logical when we would rather be sublime. But perhaps July 31st isn't all bad. Your team might be out of it this year--my team certainly is--but when your team makes a trade for some no-name, minor leaguer, you'll have something that is more valuable than home runs, can't-miss prospects or even cold beer. You have tomorrow. You have hope.