“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” ~Albert Camus

I still love baseball, when it matters. The Mets vs. Phillies playoff game was more than just baseball—it was a stage for Bob Costas and the announcing team to set a scene worthy of a literary masterpiece. Howard Cosell did it back in the day, but Costas has a little less pomposity.

Just a little.

Costas, with his knack for framing the game as a moment within a larger narrative, quoted Albert Camus: “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” His words perfectly captured the essence of fall baseball, where teams defy the season’s end to find new life.

Costas’ poetic approach contrasts sharply with Ron Darling’s straightforward, often clinical updates—“Cole Ragans is hurt” lands like a record scratch. (Note, somewhat ironic based on the above, Costas went to Syracuse… Darling went to Yale).

But wait, there’s more;

Bob Costas: History repeats itself. First as tragedy, then as farce. One can imagine Karl Marx pointing to the Mets as an example of this. But now, New York must stage its own October Revolution to rewrite history

Ron Darling: Nice slider from Nola

And so on.

Yet, this juxtaposition adds depth to the broadcast, as Darling’s precision complements Costas’ artistic flair. This blend of observation and narrative elevates the viewer’s experience, reminding us that playoff baseball, like autumn, is about the potential for renewal amidst inevitable endings.

In these moments, each pitch and leaf can bloom anew.