There are a few gems of
baseball etiquette in this piece of which I was unaware. I do like the lack of "preening" in baseball, no question about it. Perhaps this--along with the fact that I am growing older and slower (which makes me more naturally attuned to the frequencies of baseball) will push me back into the "fan" column this season. I've already downloaded the Shorebirds' schedule (our minor league team in Salisbury) into my calendar, and I hope to take in a few games this year.
You're a big Ken Burns fan aren't you? Put "Baseball" on your Netflix list. It's very, very good and made for people like you. By that I mean bright, intelligent, but not particularly well rounded in terms of their education.
ReplyDeleteAlso, George Will wrote a pretty good book on baseball about twenty years ago that is well worth reading. I don't recall the title as I loaned the book and never saw it again. Word to the wise, don't ever loan books or tools!
Oh Jesus, Anonymous post the previous. I say again Anonymous!
ReplyDeleteYou're starting to get it (back) my dear brother. As the catcher on an OK Lenape HS team back in the mid 70's, I do recall "ordering" Mssrs. Sivo and Smith to drill the batter in the back or ass with the first pitch. Why? Preening. These two had the control to do it. With some of our pitchers, I ran the risk of the ball sticking out of the batter's ear and that wasn't the intention. Self-policing, it's what is for breakfast!
ReplyDeleteYou're a better man than me Doc. I had John Catalano go for a head shot. He laughed so hard he almost tossed it over the backstop.
ReplyDeleteMen at Work is the George Will book you're thinking of Hammer. I agree it's good, but for an even better baseball book, check out 'Is This A Great Game or What' by Tim Kurkjian. Lots of geeky stuff and lots of stuff that'll make you laugh out loud.
ReplyDelete