by Ray Sanchez©
I don’t usually like to talk to my crystal ball. Or should I say I never like to talk to my crystal ball. It’s usually plain obnoxious. It brags when it’s right and makes excuses when it’s wrong.
Still, I was so down in the dumps over the Miners having ended the season on a losing note that I needed someone to talk to.
WHEN I OPENED the drawer I expected the crystal ball to jump out happy and bragging about how its pre-season prediction was right. It had said the Miners would only win four or five games and wouldn’t make it to a bowl.
The crystal ball must have caught my downcast mood.
“What is this?” it said, “You look terrible. Are you going to cry? Hey, you’re a veteran sports writer. You’ve been through decades of ups and downs. You’re supposed to be a professional and take these things in stride.”
I shook my head. “Yeah,” I said, “but these 2011 Miners were so young and so inexperienced and tried so hard that it’s a shame they couldn’t quite make it to the post season. A trip to a bowl would have been a nice reward for their efforts.”
THE ORB shook its head. And, as usual, started to brag.
“What did you expect?” it said. “Didn’t I tell you they wouldn’t win more than five games? You can’t pick kids out of thin air and expect them to succeed right away in a tough conference like the one they’re in. If you’d listened to me from the start and believed in me you wouldn’t be so broken hearted now.”
I replied, “Well, I did listen to you. But you’re not perfect, you know. And after the Miners started showing some real moxie during the season my hopes went up. They deserved better.”
THE BALL straightened up. “Just a minute,” it said. “What do you mean I’m not perfect? I keep giving you good predictions after good predictions and you still don’t show me enough respect.
“Anyway, look at the bright side of things. The Miners showed plenty of potential for next season. The quarterbacks will be back with more experience, there are some promising running backs and the lines should be better. Quit being such a wimp. Quit moaning and start looking to next year. I swear, sometime you act like a baby.”
IT MADE ME feel better. “Do you really think the Miners will be better next year?” I asked. “Are you making a prediction right now?”
It answered, “No, no. I can’t make a prediction this far ahead of time. So many things can happen. There’s talk of conference re-alignments. I’m glad coach Mike. Price is coming back next year. He’s a good offensive coach although his defensive acumen is questionable. What I like most about him is the way he treats his players. He shows a real concern for their welfare on and off the field. He’s such a nice man that I’m always wishing him well.”
I SMILED. “It’s nice to hear you talk well about somebody for a change,” I said. “Thanks for your thoughts.”
I picked up the crystal ball and gently put it back in its drawer. Compared to other dealings I’d had with it, our latest conversation had been almost genial.