Baseball, Records and Heros
A love affair with baseball29 total reviews
Comment from Annmuma
I enjoyed the 'personal' touches in this story and the 'stuff' that went around the the facts. I don't know if that even makes sense .. and I have not had my first glass yet. lol. What I mean is: The stats, who did what, etc. was filler in my reading of the story. The story was how people can allow one side of an individual to be that individual and, when they cannot live up to it, there is no interest.
To me, being any sort of sports idol would be the most crushing and exhausting thing ever. Sometimes one's God-given talent is a curse.
Whatever that was all about -- who knows. You have a well-written story that was fun and enlightening to read. Good job. ann
reply by the author on 11-Oct-2022
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I enjoyed the 'personal' touches in this story and the 'stuff' that went around the the facts. I don't know if that even makes sense .. and I have not had my first glass yet. lol. What I mean is: The stats, who did what, etc. was filler in my reading of the story. The story was how people can allow one side of an individual to be that individual and, when they cannot live up to it, there is no interest.
To me, being any sort of sports idol would be the most crushing and exhausting thing ever. Sometimes one's God-given talent is a curse.
Whatever that was all about -- who knows. You have a well-written story that was fun and enlightening to read. Good job. ann
Comment Written 11-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 11-Oct-2022
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Ann, thank you for reading. I think you about sport heroes, some can handle it better than others. Terry.
Comment from humpwhistle
Yes, Mickey Mantle was a flawed man, but I think you'll agree, when he was healthy, he was something to see. That he and Maris combined for 115 home runs for the same team in a single season is an amazing statistic. And baseball, like no other sport, lives on the statistics pages. The Hall of Fame at Cooperstown is really the Hall of Statistics. Today, every aspect of the game is governed by Analytics--just a fancy word for statistics brought to a new level. Drafts, trades, bullpen management are all determined by analytics now. Bill James and the Red Sox pioneered this evaluation tool, but it didn't attain wide acceptance until 2002 when Billy Beane, GM for the Oakland A's utilized analytics to assemble a ragtag, low-budget team that nearly made it to the World Series. Suddenly, every baseball team took analytics seriously.
Sorry about the speech, Terry.
A couple of things. If you're going to write about baseball, accept the fact that a lot of folks won't understand. If you try to explain as you go, you're going to lose the people who are truly interested. Sometimes, trying to reach everyone reaches no one.
Also, you missed an important fact about the World Series. Major League Baseball recruits all over the world these days. Sure, it's an American sport, but if you look at the rosters, you'll find players from all over the world. Sure, there's still some chauvinism attached to the World Series, but a lot of progress has been made since 61 in '61.
Again, Terry, sorry about the dissertation. It's a subject near and dear to my heart. Peace, Lee
reply by the author on 09-Oct-2022
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Yes, Mickey Mantle was a flawed man, but I think you'll agree, when he was healthy, he was something to see. That he and Maris combined for 115 home runs for the same team in a single season is an amazing statistic. And baseball, like no other sport, lives on the statistics pages. The Hall of Fame at Cooperstown is really the Hall of Statistics. Today, every aspect of the game is governed by Analytics--just a fancy word for statistics brought to a new level. Drafts, trades, bullpen management are all determined by analytics now. Bill James and the Red Sox pioneered this evaluation tool, but it didn't attain wide acceptance until 2002 when Billy Beane, GM for the Oakland A's utilized analytics to assemble a ragtag, low-budget team that nearly made it to the World Series. Suddenly, every baseball team took analytics seriously.
Sorry about the speech, Terry.
A couple of things. If you're going to write about baseball, accept the fact that a lot of folks won't understand. If you try to explain as you go, you're going to lose the people who are truly interested. Sometimes, trying to reach everyone reaches no one.
Also, you missed an important fact about the World Series. Major League Baseball recruits all over the world these days. Sure, it's an American sport, but if you look at the rosters, you'll find players from all over the world. Sure, there's still some chauvinism attached to the World Series, but a lot of progress has been made since 61 in '61.
Again, Terry, sorry about the dissertation. It's a subject near and dear to my heart. Peace, Lee
Comment Written 09-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 09-Oct-2022
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Lee, thank you for reading my story and sharing your thoughts. Sadly, baseball is no longer very important. Less than half the teams are even competitive. Even our Dallas Morning News stopped printing box scores this year.
Your thoughts are always interesting. Thanks, Terry.
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By the way, I have lived in the Dallas area for over fifty years and spent 12 years working for charities; I did have an opportunity to meet Mickey several times.
It was hard not to revert to that kid that idolized him. But he was always pleasant to me and the folks around us. Terry.
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Ah, the demise of the box scores occurred several years ago here in Connecticut. Newspapers are mostly empty shells. But sites all over the internet still publish daily box scores.
Still, to those of us who devoured newspaper box scores with our Wheaties every morning, it's easy to mistake the end of newspapers for the end of baseball.
Comment from Shirley McLain
You brought back some child hoo memories for me. I watched baseball in California as a kid with my dad. Mickey Mantle was always my favorite. Being a girl, I really didn't care about all the stats. I can't remember the team he played on, but I remember it was in San Diego and they moved. Life goes on. You did a great job. Thanks for the memories. Shirley
reply by the author on 09-Oct-2022
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You brought back some child hoo memories for me. I watched baseball in California as a kid with my dad. Mickey Mantle was always my favorite. Being a girl, I really didn't care about all the stats. I can't remember the team he played on, but I remember it was in San Diego and they moved. Life goes on. You did a great job. Thanks for the memories. Shirley
Comment Written 09-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 09-Oct-2022
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Shirley, thank you for the six stars! I am delighted the story brought back some memories of you and your dad. Terry.
Comment from Ulla
Hi Terry, I will confess I know very little about baseball, although being half American. My excuse is that I live in Europe. Now, I've been to the States a lot throughout my entire life, and my American side of family lives in Mass. So I have been introduced to the game.
I liked the sardonic way you said how your country and Canada have called it the World Series.
It end of Mantle. He's not the first sportsman to have ended up like that. It's really sad.
An interesting read. It shines through how much you love the game. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 09-Oct-2022
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Hi Terry, I will confess I know very little about baseball, although being half American. My excuse is that I live in Europe. Now, I've been to the States a lot throughout my entire life, and my American side of family lives in Mass. So I have been introduced to the game.
I liked the sardonic way you said how your country and Canada have called it the World Series.
It end of Mantle. He's not the first sportsman to have ended up like that. It's really sad.
An interesting read. It shines through how much you love the game. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 09-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 09-Oct-2022
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Ulla, thank you for reading and for your review. Sadly Mantle's story is not limited to US sports figures. Terry.
Comment from rspoet
Hello Terry.
I have that very plate on my dresser. I grew up in north jersey, where you were either a Giant, Dodger, or Yankees fan. The Giants are in San Fran, Dodgers in LA, only the Yankees stayed. Mickey was my baseball hero, I didn't know about all the other stuff then, probably the influence of Billy Martin and others.
Great story about a time long ago, when baseball ruled sports.
True baseball fans view Judge as the new major league Home Run King, followed by Maris and the Babe. (though Ruth did it in 156 games)
I enjoyed your complete story. Well done.
Best wishes.
Robert
reply by the author on 08-Oct-2022
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Hello Terry.
I have that very plate on my dresser. I grew up in north jersey, where you were either a Giant, Dodger, or Yankees fan. The Giants are in San Fran, Dodgers in LA, only the Yankees stayed. Mickey was my baseball hero, I didn't know about all the other stuff then, probably the influence of Billy Martin and others.
Great story about a time long ago, when baseball ruled sports.
True baseball fans view Judge as the new major league Home Run King, followed by Maris and the Babe. (though Ruth did it in 156 games)
I enjoyed your complete story. Well done.
Best wishes.
Robert
Comment Written 08-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 08-Oct-2022
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Robert, thank you for the six stars and the wonderful review. Terry.
Comment from K.L. Rockquemore
This is a great write!
It has stats, humor, and trivia.
I appreciate the history lesson. I used to watch baseball with my dad when I was young, I treasure those memories now that he has passed.
I also appreciate the story's organization.
The peppering of history throughout is effective at rounding out the story and engaging the reader.
Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 08-Oct-2022
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This is a great write!
It has stats, humor, and trivia.
I appreciate the history lesson. I used to watch baseball with my dad when I was young, I treasure those memories now that he has passed.
I also appreciate the story's organization.
The peppering of history throughout is effective at rounding out the story and engaging the reader.
Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 07-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 08-Oct-2022
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Kitty, thank you for reading and your most kind review! Terry.
Comment from Sandra Nelms-Ludwig
Wow! Terry! I learned in your essay more about baseball than I ever knew. It is an informative and interesting essay. Well-written as usual. I also had two opportunities to figure out your age. LOL Obviously math isn't my strong suit or dress. You are between 75-80. Am I in the ballpark? Couldn't resist the ballgame reference. lol
It's a good read. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2022
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Wow! Terry! I learned in your essay more about baseball than I ever knew. It is an informative and interesting essay. Well-written as usual. I also had two opportunities to figure out your age. LOL Obviously math isn't my strong suit or dress. You are between 75-80. Am I in the ballpark? Couldn't resist the ballgame reference. lol
It's a good read. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 07-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2022
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Sandra, thank you for reviewing, and getting me confused with Tom...I think he is younger, and maybe better looking, I am sure he has more hair...I am 76 and counting. Terry.
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I am sorry for mixing up your name with Tom. He and I have been going around and around today about his poem. Tom won because he is mule-headed and it's his poem. lol I apologize because I know full well who you are. Obviously, you at 76 is functioning a lot better than me at one month shy of 68. lol I did correct it in my review box. You are a good writer and taught me some things about baseball I did not know.
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LOL, I better go read Tom's poem, Terry.
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Then click on view ratings for my comments. LOL
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It's the Hovering Overhead poem.
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Was that the Who are you contest?
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okay
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Okay, I do see both sides, you all are poets, I am a storyteller I will let you all figure it out. I did like his poem. Terry.
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I liked his poem, and I like him. He used to live about 20 miles from my hometown in Virginia. Never take sides in a disagreement not involving you. That's advice I live by too. LOL
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Not sure which contest. It may be that contest.
Comment from Sarah Robin
Well done. I enjoyed your post, most especially since I had two sons who played in little league games. And I also appreciated your ending. I liked the way you put your story together!
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2022
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Well done. I enjoyed your post, most especially since I had two sons who played in little league games. And I also appreciated your ending. I liked the way you put your story together!
Comment Written 07-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2022
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Sarah, Thank you for the six stars, I am delighted you like my story about baseball, no doubt your sons have some stories about little league as well. Terry.
Comment from royowen
I could have written that. I was an allround sportsman, and retired as a cricketer, having played a few sports, just before conversion. On meeting the Lord, i threw away my trophies, reflecting that they were only trinkets of little value. Mickey Mantle was right, regarding himself as a fallen hero, there was a famous soccer player who died after receiving a liver transplant, he'd resumed drinking, George Best his name, he lived a debauched life also, as I did, he was a magician at soccer. I stopped drinking when I received God's forgiveness, Beautifully written Terry, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 06-Oct-2022
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I could have written that. I was an allround sportsman, and retired as a cricketer, having played a few sports, just before conversion. On meeting the Lord, i threw away my trophies, reflecting that they were only trinkets of little value. Mickey Mantle was right, regarding himself as a fallen hero, there was a famous soccer player who died after receiving a liver transplant, he'd resumed drinking, George Best his name, he lived a debauched life also, as I did, he was a magician at soccer. I stopped drinking when I received God's forgiveness, Beautifully written Terry, blessings Roy
Comment Written 06-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 06-Oct-2022
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Roy, thank you. the poem at the end of the story was delivered at Micky's funeral by a teammate of his. The teammate says that Mickey found god near the end, and that was why he read the poem. Thank you for reading. Terry.
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What a marvellous thing Terry
Comment from GWHARGIS
And of course I don't have a damned 6 star. I love how you weave the news (facts on record) with the nostalgia of youth. It really sets your work apart from others here. I learn something but I also see how this effects you. This was phenomenal. Thoroughly enjoyed. Gretchen
reply by the author on 06-Oct-2022
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And of course I don't have a damned 6 star. I love how you weave the news (facts on record) with the nostalgia of youth. It really sets your work apart from others here. I learn something but I also see how this effects you. This was phenomenal. Thoroughly enjoyed. Gretchen
Comment Written 06-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 06-Oct-2022
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Gretchen, Thank you for your wonderful review, I am delighted you enjoyed it. Terry.LOL
