For me, there is a unique feeling I find in the transition that takes place upon returning home from any trip. Taking time to reflect on what met my expectations, what new things I learned, the people I met and stories they told that will stay with me the longest and, perhaps more than anything else, what unplanned or unscripted things took place, is an important part of the experience. Coming back from the SABR 52 convention in Minneapolis was no different.
Settling in back home, my thoughts turned to how, less than a week prior, I was settling into my hotel room and heading to registration. At the registration desk, I remember seeing a few familiar faces, making some quick conversations and stepping into line to get registered.
After getting my lanyard and checking my name on the tag, I looked down to see that there were still hundreds of badges, all virtually identical to mine, that needed to be picked up. I had gotten there pretty early so this was to be expected. My eyes shifted slightly to the left and I saw something that I didn’t expect. At the front of one of the stacks below me was a name tag that stood out. It, like all the others, was identical to mine except for one thing, the name on it. Instead of my name on it, this one said Tony Oliva.
Tony Oliva, the Hall of Fame outfielder from the Minnesota Twins, was on a panel of speakers the next day, so it made sense that he would have a badge, as I am sure other Hall of Fame Twins players on the panel the next day, Rod Carew, Bert Blyleven and Jim Kaat did as well. But for some reason, this subtle experience I am describing, while it took only a few seconds, took me so much by surprise that it made an unexpected impression on me. After all, what could I have in common with Tony Oliva, or any of these Hall of Famers? I have to admit, it wasn’t immediate but, the obvious answer eventually dawned on me It was baseball. However, on this day it was not only baseball, it was that baseball led us, all of the convention attendees, to Minneapolis for that SABR event.
The next day, one of the many highlights of the trip for me, was getting to see Rod Carew and Tony Oliva share their baseball and life experiences as part of the panel. Equally satisfying to me was watching presentations, connecting with other SABR members and hearing about their baseball and life experiences as well. For a lifelong baseball fan who enjoys the connections that are made because of the game as much as the game itself, I found fulfillment in every event and encounter along the way.
As with every trip that comes to an end, there is time to reflect, which is usually followed by thoughts and plans for the next trip. While it won’t be my next trip, I already know that I plan to attend the SABR 53 convention that will be in the Dallas area next summer. I hope anyone who takes the time to read this will consider it as well.
You can read about and listen to highlights of all panels, presentations and committee meetings by going to https://sabr.org/convention/
