I think we can all agree that the events of this presidential election have been more eccentric than we initially expected them to be. There have been some really weird moments over the past year and a half, and, at times, it seems that the election has been treated like more of a game show than a serious search for the next POTUS. The primary race is reaching a boiling point, and it just so happens that Major League Baseball season is beginning as well. Here are some of the similarities that I’ve happened to noticed between these two attention-grabbing events:
1. It totally sneaks up on you
This happens every time. I’m minding my own business and then–bam! One morning I wake up and everyone has suddenly donned candidate t-shirts, when I didn’t even know who was running. This is just like the sudden boom of team jerseys that happens every spring. Were my friends always this into baseball and I just somehow forgot?
2. People get way too into it on Facebook
My feed suddenly consists of rants about why so-and-so is what this country needs or intense arguments about why this is the Cubbies’ year. (SPOILER ALERT: It’s not. I’m sorry Chicago.) People need to chill.
3. Californians get particularly crazy
This applies to a lot of things, but we Sunshiners take our rivalries very seriously. I mean, what can you expect from a state that has every dot on the political spectrum crammed into it, vying for a say. (There’s a reason we had to split ourselves up into 58 counties, people.) It feels like I have a ringside seat to a particularly brutal boxing match. Have you ever seen Giants and Dodgers fans argue? There WILL BE BLOOD.
4. No one understands all of the statistics
Super delegates? How many votes do they need to get the nomination? PCT? GB? What the heck is a Wild Card Game? I feel like I need a translator to help me decipher the sheer amount of data that flashes across the bottom of my news feed.
5. There are way too many events
Each team plays 162 games during the season, bringing the grand total to a whopping 2,430 ball games! Meanwhile, the presidential election has countless caucuses, conventions and meet-and-greets. It can be exhausting just trying to keep up with the events, and there are so many that the results of any one really don’t matter. Especially early on in the process or season, a loss isn’t a make-or-break situation. There are so many other opportunities to come back. I mean, Donald Trump is still around despite his numerous *oops* moments.
6. The events are so slow that boredom can creep up on you
Stay with me here! I’m not saying that baseball is boring, but isn’t it way more fun to watch when you can grab a hot dog and chat with your friends between the action? Needless to say, it would be in bad form to slurp on a soda and hoist a foam finger at a presidential debate. Although,sometimes, I think we all wish we could.
7. We forget about people that used to be important
Does anyone even remember who Rick Santorum or Barry Bonds is? For events that summon the eye of the nation, it’s surprisingly easy to forget about people who used to make waves.
8. A killing is made on merchandise
An advantage to the seasons being so long is we have time to order and sport merchandise supporting our favorite candidate or team. Apparently, everyone really wants to wear their opinion across their chest, on their head or just about anywhere else. Nothing is off limits, so, if you would really like, say, a mini-skirt with Bernie Sanders’ face on it, you can get it here at Redbubble.com for $37.92. Feel the Bern.
9. There’s always a throwback
I find myself seriously questioning whether or not someone’s vintage Reagan/Bush ‘84 t-shirt is ironic, a serious call for the old days or just a really durable shirt. Likewise, you have to give credit to the guy wearing a Brooklyn Dodgers jersey. That is some serious commitment. Throwbacks are a way of reminding us of where we come from, so it’s pretty cool to see people sporting these billboards-of-the-past.
These similarities may have you chuckling or seriously questioning the American political system. If you find yourself contemplating a move to Canada when it’s all over, just remember that, despite the ebb and flow of weirdness, we’re citizens in this (pretty awesome) country and our opinions count towards a remarkably important selection process. If you aren’t already registered to vote, please do so as soon as possible. Your vote counts!