V.1.E.5.

February 1st 2012.

Today on the golf course, when my practice session had wound down and I was getting ready to call it a day, my mind wandered towards baseball and 1000 Ballpark Way.

You don't have to tell me how hard it is to win three consecutive AL Pennants. I get it. But what I also get is that this team is special. Special group of guys, special front office, special manager and coaches, special owners.

15 sleeps from now and we have baseball again. 59 sleeps from now and we have opening day.

I can't even begin to describe how ready I am to see Elvis Andrus lead the team out of the dugout in the home whites and red hats with Yu Darvish slowly and demonstratively talking to stroll to the rubber.

No one can predict what will become of this season, but there's no way this team is done making noise yet.

The deadliest twin-killing combo in the majors up the middle. The best hot-corner glove and bat the game has to offer. A kid whose career is just getting rolling at first. A seasoned veteran that found new life here behind the dish. A Japanese phenom standing on the hill. The greatest prospect the game has ever seen in left. NC-17 in right. The fastest guy I've ever seen who still has untapped potential manning center. And Mr. Ranger, bringing more than just a .345 average and 200+ hits a year to the table, who has many more seasons left in him.

Baseball is fun.

This team is fun.

I can't wait to see what 2012 will bring us.

--Cheyenne T. Bauman