Two years ago, in a simpler time, in a simpler world, I did something a little bit reckless. Barry Bonds was closing in on the all-time home run record, the Giants had a handful of exciting young pitchers and, looking back on it, I had a ridiculous amount of free time on my hands. Thus, the MLB Extra Innings package was purchased. What this meant was that, for a somewhat ridiculous fee, I had access to virtually every baseball game on TV for the entire season. As mindblowing as that sounded to a baseball fan, it was even better than I imagined. Sure I had all of my Giants games but what I didn't anticipate was how addicting watching other teams would be. I could follow Shelbi's* (My) fantasy baseball players and if anything specactular was happening on a given day, I could simply click to that game. Carlos Zambrano is throwing a no-hitter? Why yes I AM interested in that! Jermaine Dye has a chance for his fourth home run of the day? I would enjoy watching that. Thanks MLB Extra Innings! It was heavenly. On Thursdays when I don't have to go into work until the afternoon? What do you know? There's a baseball game on! I just finished mowing the lawn on a hot Saturday and I have a cold beer in the fridge? Hey, there's also a baseball game on! This is the greatest day ever!

Last year the Giants, sans Barry Bonds, faced the very real possibility of a 120-loss season. That would be roughly a dollar per loss and so I wisely saved my money. But this year I talked myself into the Giants despite the fact that their offense is considerably worse than last year's which set a franchise record for futility. And, of course, with the DVR, I can record my Giants games for my later viewing pleasure. With Shelbi going to bed early during the week I have recorded a handful of games and then plowed through them once everyone has gone to sleep. To date I have seen the Giants lose 6 straight games including one where they walked in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Let me tell you, it is not easy to stay quiet and tiptoe into bed, let alone fall asleep, after watching that.

Still, I have to admit that, so far, it has been worth every penny. Eight hours with a rapidly growing baby who now only wants to be held while walking around the room and looking at various objects on the wall, can be daunting and there really isn't anything more soothing than having a baseball game on in the background, even if the sound is muted. And, if Shelbi and/or I lose our jobs in the coming months I will also have the option of hitting my friends and family members with a cover charge if they want to come over and watch the game as a means to make up the income.