Odds and Ends
51. Return of the Veeck: It's the 20th anniversary of the
infamous Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park. Bill Veeck is gone but
son Mike Veeck is bringing a lot of that off-the-wall spirit to Tampa Bay,
including honoring that fateful summer night. The best promotion planned so
far: Lawyer Appreciation Night (Lawyers charged double to get in and then
billed each third of an inning).
52. Walk this way: If Mark McGwire
didn't break Roger Maris' home run record last year, he still might have
shattered another - Babe Ruth's 170 walks in a season. He fell short of
that mark but that record could be challenged again. Pitchers will try to
avoid McGwire at all costs, of course. However, the Giants' Barry Bonds and
especially the White Sox's Frank Thomas
could chase the record, considering the lack of protection in their
lineups.
53. You're still in the league?: Orioles reliever Jesse Orosco is
still an integral part of the bullpen at the age of 41 (He turns 42 on
April 21). However, if he appears in 47 games this season, he will break
the all-time record for games pitched (1,071) held by Dennis
Eckersley.
54. A high note: You won't have to see Garth Brooks on the field,
other than for the National Anthem. Then again, considering the Padres'
problems, maybe he will suit make the team during a September call-up.
55. The Phillie Phanatic: With the San Diego Chicken somewhat out
of circulation, he has the title of the best mascot in sports.
56. Radio gaga: Baseball fans around the country can pick up a
number of games from around the country through AM radio, thus listening to
the distinctive calls of such broadcasters as Ernie Harwell and Jack Buck
from hundreds of miles of away. The ability to do this is much easier now
with the Internet and streaming audio. No need to worry about finding a
clear signal anymore.
57. Going, going, gone: The chance to hear the myriad of home run
calls, no matter how good or how bad they may be. Get used to hearing Bob
Carpenter of the Cardinals saying, "See ... you ... later" for all those
Big Mac shots.
58. Fantasy baseball: "With the vast disparity existing in
baseball, it's ridiculous for small market fans to hope their team can
compete against deep pockets. Fantasy baseball evens out the competition
while allowing an 'owner' to still follow the major league game." -
Terrence McFall, San Jose, Calif.
59. Facial hair: The addition of 50-homer man Greg Vaughn
brought about a change in the Reds' somewhat antiquated policy banning
facial hair. Welcome to the '90s, Cincinnati. However, we're not sure what
outfielder Dmitri Young
was thinking with his orange goatee.
60. Managers and coaches still wear uniforms: You won't see any
Armani suits in the dugout. Somehow it just seems right to see guys like
Don Zimmer and Jim Leyland running their teams wearing those double-knit
polyester garments.
A day at the park
61. Free souvenirs: The McGwire home run saga made catching home
run balls a big-money game, but there is still a great thrill in catching a
home run or foul ball during a game.
62. Midweek businessmen's specials: If you're not in Wrigley
Field, it is the rare opportunity for fans to enjoy the game in a more
"natural" environment - under a bright afternoon sun on a Wednesday
afternoon in the middle of the summer.
63. Out of town scoreboards: At times, the most entertaining part
of a baseball game, especially if the contest on the field gets out of
hand. The manual scoreboards at Wrigley Field and Fenway Park just ooze
nostalgia.
64. Keeping score: What a better way to stay focused on the game
than by filling in those little boxes with such simple yet obscure markings
as a backwards K or DP 6-4-3.
65. A great date: I'll let Jackie from Centreville, Va., explain:
"You know what, baseball is kinda slow sport, it is wonderful to sit with
someone in the stadium, have enough time to chat, talk, flirt, etc. If his
team won, you also become part of the joyful memory, and he will be yours.
If his team loses, you will have enough excuses to comfort him."
Waxing poetic
66. Unpredictable history: On any given day, just about any
player - superstar or bench warmer - actually has a chance at making
history. Neither McGwire nor Sosa has ever hit four homers in a game, yet
Mark Whiten
has accomplished the feat. Neither Maddux nor Clemens has thrown a
no-hitter yet Jim
Abbott and Hideo Nomo each
have one on their resumes. For every Reggie Jackson, there is a Mark Lemke who
will steal the show down the stretch.
67. Baseball is the most cerebral and academic of sports. For
those mathematically-inclined, there are plenty of stats and other numbers
just waiting to be crunched. Just ask Bill James. For the literary minded,
there is plenty of literature and history about baseball available. You
could almost put together a viable college course about baseball
literature. How do you explain political pundit George Will writing two
books about baseball?
68. "[Baseball] is an art form. A game where a small lapse in
concentration and the game could be blown. Although they say one play does
not decide a game, it may in baseball. There [are] millions of chess games
inside one baseball game. Pitcher and catcher vs. hitter, manager vs.
manager. If that is not enough excitement, then go watch a less stimulating
game." - David Gordon, Las Vegas
69. "Baseball is a family game. Unlike basketball or hockey,
there is time to reflect, to take in the beauty of a perfect summer
evening, answer a question from your child, and to truly enjoy the event.
There is excitement and fast action to be sure, but there are also quiet
moments. Baseball, in short, allows for the luxury of time. Such a
commodity is rare nowadays. Basketball doesn't allow for it, nor does
hockey or auto racing or similar sports. Baseball, however, by its very
nature, demands it." -Brick Billing, Ottawa
70. "There are really no gimmicks during a game that suggest the
game isn't enough. In baseball, the game is the thing, pure and simple.
It's an easy game, enjoyed by preschoolers as well as old men. It reminds
us of the things that were great about this country. Simple. Pure.
Baseball." -Joe Svetlic, Kansas City, Mo.
