R.i.p. 6-4-3

Ingenious though it is, Chadwick's system has its flaws: A simple 8, for example, cannot distinguish between a routine flyout to centerfield in April and Willie Mays's over-the-shoulder catch in the World Series. Which is why many scorers add a star to denote spectacular plays. Dickson knows one skinflint who awards four and only four stars per season. When the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, he'll mark not who won or lost but how you scored the game.

As Grantland Rice and Manny Gluck knew, a full life is like a filled-in scorecard. In March, after 44 distinguished years as the Minnesota Twins' public-address announcer, Bob Casey passed away. At the funeral one of Casey's sons, Mike, closed his eulogy with the same phrase his father used to close every Twins game.

He said, in summing up a life well-lived: "The totals on the board are correct." ?

? If you have a comment for Steve Rushin, send it to rushin@siletters.com.