Jeremy Guthrie, 2009 Topps Black #194

Today there is baseball, and life is good. I checked my iPhone this afternoon, and saw starting lineups posted on my go-to blogs. I got in the car after work and heard Joe Angel recapping the lovely totals: 12 runs, 14 hits for the Orioles, 2 runs, 5 hits for the visiting Rays. Jeremy Guthrie started on the right foot with two scoreless innings, and seven frames of solid relief from six more pitchers who have a good shot to contribute in 2010. A win from would-be lefty specialist and clubhouse clown Will Ohman. Most exciting of all, six home runs, including two each from rookie corner infielders Rhyne Hughes and Josh Bell and a booming shot to center by young star right fielder Nick Markakis.

I got so pumped up by the renewed presence of baseball in my everyday life (exhibition baseball is still baseball, after all) that I took the long way home so I could stop by the hobby shop and buy myself a box of 2010 Topps...think of it as a housewarming gift, from me to me. 36 flawless new packs to rip open? Bliss. Anyway, I drove the rest of the way home listening to Scott Garceau and Mark Zinno and their callers on 105.7 FM talk about the O's...sure there was a bit of Terps-Duke discussion and a remark or two about the Ravens, but it was little more than window dressing. The Birds are back.