Somehow, I didn’t post about Pi Day earlier this week and I forgot to hype St. Pat’s Day and what it means in the Valley.

I know several people that have a passive-aggressive relationship with St. Pat’s Day. None of them have ever worked in a bar or restaurant and haven’t had to rely on the day for income. All they see is the drunkenness and omnipresent green. I’d argue that restaurants and bars that capitalize on people’s willingness to celebrate isn’t stupid, but rather merely smart business. Restaurants and bars can promote themselves as not catering to the masses and attract a different crowd if they so desire.

What’s funny is how I completely forgot that yesterday afternoon was still St. Pat’s. I knew that it was the 17th and 3/4 of everyone at school was wearing green-despite very few Irish Catholics on the premises. Editor’s note: I was not wearing any green despite my heritage. It wasn’t until we entered a favorite establishment across the Cheddar Curtain, that I realized why the joint was stuffed to the gills.

Chasing corned beef, cabbage and green beer once a year is the same thing as only eating hotdogs at a baseball game. I won’t knock either even if it means longer waits and lines for me. At the end of the day, both make people happy and the former isn’t cultural appropriation. While I don’t recall ever seeing corned beef and cabbage on any Valley ballpark menu, I’ve had more than a few green beers.

If anyone can point me towards an early April ball game with guaranteed warm weather, I’m open for business (minor league is acceptable).

Play Ball, already!