Pretty sure this is as comprehensive a description of baseball as I’ve ever read. And of sports in America. We never play anything as American as this game.
I know nothing about baseball, but I loved your description of the ritual the losing team go through after their defeat: 'They quarantine themselves, not just in a below the ground purgatory, but in their own agony and envy.' I have just never come across an attitude like that before in sport. I wonder does it achieve anything positive for kids and would-be-players to emulate, or does it all just feed into the reality of America being a divided place - a place of 'our side, and their side' - a place of winners and losers? I certainly cannot see either of the two candidates in the Presidential race acting any differently to these players following the result of next week's election. But would the loser shaking hands with the winner not break the cycle of envy, division and hatred that is tearing your country apart? And please don't club me to death. I know nothing about baseball.
It's some old early 20th century American, tobacco-chewing, no blacks allowed, grizzled white man nonsense, but it still persists no matter who's on the roster.
Beautiful! Seriously baseball is the one sport I can appreciate, but I never know how to explain my affinity towards this uniquely American tradition? Your poignant essay says everything about baseball, which seems both tragically morbid and beautifully joyful to watch. The meditative aspect, the physically isolating long distances between players, the slow and gradual repetition of the process of the game, these things are captivating. I admire the way you’ve highlighted the absurdity of seeing in terms of only winners versus losers. And the description of the ritual humiliation of defeat carries some well appreciated dark humor. The ending meditation on getting right with death, that left me nodding along and hoping for acceptance. Baseball is one strange pastime, fascinating nevertheless. Thank you for sharing this honorable tribute to a strange yet beautiful sport.
This is my favorite thing you’ve written. It’s brilliant.
It is brilliant
Thanks Adamus.
Pretty sure this is as comprehensive a description of baseball as I’ve ever read. And of sports in America. We never play anything as American as this game.
Right? As a non sport watcher typically, I thought ahhhh often as I read. Thanks, Tommy.
You're welcome HS.
All good sports writing should reference the I Ching.
I know nothing about baseball, but I loved your description of the ritual the losing team go through after their defeat: 'They quarantine themselves, not just in a below the ground purgatory, but in their own agony and envy.' I have just never come across an attitude like that before in sport. I wonder does it achieve anything positive for kids and would-be-players to emulate, or does it all just feed into the reality of America being a divided place - a place of 'our side, and their side' - a place of winners and losers? I certainly cannot see either of the two candidates in the Presidential race acting any differently to these players following the result of next week's election. But would the loser shaking hands with the winner not break the cycle of envy, division and hatred that is tearing your country apart? And please don't club me to death. I know nothing about baseball.
It's some old early 20th century American, tobacco-chewing, no blacks allowed, grizzled white man nonsense, but it still persists no matter who's on the roster.
Beautiful! Seriously baseball is the one sport I can appreciate, but I never know how to explain my affinity towards this uniquely American tradition? Your poignant essay says everything about baseball, which seems both tragically morbid and beautifully joyful to watch. The meditative aspect, the physically isolating long distances between players, the slow and gradual repetition of the process of the game, these things are captivating. I admire the way you’ve highlighted the absurdity of seeing in terms of only winners versus losers. And the description of the ritual humiliation of defeat carries some well appreciated dark humor. The ending meditation on getting right with death, that left me nodding along and hoping for acceptance. Baseball is one strange pastime, fascinating nevertheless. Thank you for sharing this honorable tribute to a strange yet beautiful sport.
What a wonderful message to get. Thanks Jessica, glad it touched so many bases for you (couldn't resist).
Only you could get me to read about baseball.
That makes me happy. I wanted to send you a song I heard after reading one of your posts but I'll send as a message.
I was clueless until I read this Tommy!
Don’t worry, be happy, remember that tune!
Interesting theory