I came across this video (2011 Top Plays) this morning, and I had to share because I’ve hit that baseball withdrawal portion of the offseason. You know, the time where I check the ticket options for next season two or three times a day, see if there are any potential road trips for games and contemplate spring training.

Despite the season the Dodgers had, both on and off the field, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the season.

After all, even though I take it pretty seriously, it is only a game. And it’s one of the few places that I don’t get too wrapped up in the business end of it. It’s a diversion, a hobby, not politics.

So, on Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for the 2011 season.

I’m especially thankful to have witnessed almost all of Clayton Kershaw’s home games in his Cy Young Season. I think I sat there with knees jiggling for each of the last three home games he pitched as my brothers and I would track his changing ERA inning by inning. At some point, we went out there fully expecting perfect games. It never happened, but we did sit through those two back-to-back 11-strikeout games.

In no particular order, I’m also thankful for:

a very entertaining postseason
strong pitching throughout the National League (I felt like there were blockbuster matchups every time I turned around)
Matt Kemp’s almost-40/40 season
summer nights at Dodger Stadium
sharing the season with my little brothers
Dee Gordon’s major league debut
and most recently, McCourt’s decision to finally sell the team.

Happy Thanksgiving!