Playing With Class

Ronald Blum, an Associated Press writer, writes in his interview with Hank Aaron, that Aaron thinks today’s baseball players are “obsessed with hitting homeruns.” Blum sits down with the “homerun king” and discusses Aaron’s likes and dislikes about the game of baseball in this new era. Aaron comments on young players who are getting into trouble, caring more about their fame than the success of the team, and also that there are no shortcuts in the game of baseball. Blum comments on Hank Aaron’s homerun record in which he held from 1974 until 2007. Aaron state that the game has underwent major changes since his playing days. Blum briefly mentions Aaron’s health and his current job as senior vice president with The Atlanta Braves. Although Aaron does not like the length of today’s baseball games, he stills enjoys taking his grandchildren to watch America’s favorite past time. Aaron mentions he would “like to see the designated hitter expand to the National League.” With all the changes that have taken place, Hank Aaron is glad he played in an era of dominating pitching and more respect for the game (“Obsessed”).
Hank Aaron has always been my favorite player simply because of when and how he played. As a child I would watch him play with such poise and character. Blum’s article with Aaron is simply Aaron’s reflection on a game that is loved by grandparents and kids alike. I agree with Aaron that the younger players don’t have the discipline that they need. There is always some player that is caught with drugs, stopped for DUI, or some weapons charge. What today’s player lack is that character that was displayed in Aaron’s day. With the obsession of hitting homeruns is a testament to the younger players’ cockiness and attitude. Whatever happened to being thankful for the talent to play this cherished game on such a large stage?


Most of the changes that Aaron mentions are desperately needed to improve the quality of the game, especially the length of games. Aaron states that, “It bothers me one inning can last, I don’t know, 25 minutes or 30 minutes, when they keep bringing relief pitchers out and the catchers keep going out talking. That bothers me more than anything.” (“Obsessed”). Aaron was always a winner and that attitude carried over to his teammates. He always played for the “team” and with confidence in himself. Baseball could use a face lift and who better to give advice than former players who are now in the Hall of Fame. Older players have always been role models or examples for the younger players. Aaron is simply stating that the younger players don’t understand the game. They should play for the team and play with class.


Blum, Ronald. “AP Interview: Aaron Says Batters Home Run-obsessed.” The Associated Press. 9 Apr. 2010. Web. 1 May 2010.









http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hFHDgq4ahhVUxRWuGhLKNuX_RfpwD9EV6V7G2

Who Has to be Next?

Carolyn Jones writes an interesting article for the San Francisco Chronicle, in which she discusses an accident involving a high school baseball player who was injured by a line drive from a metal bat. Gunnar Sandberg, a sixteen year old baseball player for Marin Catholic high school was hit in the left temple while pitching. It is estimated that the ball that hit Gunnar was traveling 100 mph. Fortunately, for Gunnar, he is doing much better now, but things was scary at first. Doctors had to operate on Gunnar’s brain, and also place him in a chemical-induced coma. Since the accident, Marin Catholic has banned metal bats and started using wood bats. Jones includes statistics about metal bats versus wooden bats. She also comments on Gunnar’s personality and how others considered him to be an outstanding young man. Jones also mentions that there are some opposed to banning metal bats such as “Little League, The National Collegiate Athletic Association and The American Baseball Coaches Association” because the injury rate between metal and wood are basically the same (“Injury”).

Switching from metal to wooden bats will always be a controversial topic. There are many injuries that are associated with metal bats. Just the name “metal” sounds dangerous itself. Carolyn Jones states that metal bats have been in use since the 1920s. They saved teams money since metal is more durable than wood (“Injury”). In a contact sport like baseball where players throw nearly 100 mph and balls travel off of bats at excess speeds of 100 mph, someone is likely to get hurt. I don’t think we can take away the dangers of the playing the game but maybe we can reduce them. Although, some teams have made the switch to wooden bats, the majority still swing metal bats. Players swing metal bats faster because they are lighter. Now one can find bats made out of titanium, which is lighter and stronger than metal. Jones mentions in her article “that a baseball travels 4 mph faster coming off a metal bat than a wooden bat”.

In a game where faster is better and stronger is preferred, players will continue to improve to impress managers and owners. We have to believe that baseballs will be hit harder and injuries may be fatal. Maybe there is no significant difference between metal and wood, but there has to be something that can be done to reduce the risk to our players. Maybe we can look at pitchers wearing special helmets or changing the texture of the baseball itself. The game will always be fun to play and exciting to watch, but never do we want to see any player greatly hurt or even killed. After all, it’s just a game.

Carolyn, Jones. “Injury Puts Renewed Focus on Metal Bats.” San Francisco Chronicle (10/1/2007 to present) 23 Mar. 2010: A1. Newspaper Source Plus. EBSCO. Web. 28 Apr. 2010.

http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=n5h&AN=48698593&site=ehost-live

Who Is It Hurting?

After reading an article that Michael Hogan wrote for Vanity Fair magazine about baseball and steroids, I honestly don’t know what side of the fence I am on. Hogan’s article comes after players like Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids. Hogan suggestion seems to come out of left field at first but when considered, it almost smacks you in the face. Hogan asks, “Should the ban on steroids be reconsidered.” He suggests that there are a lot of things wrong with baseball already such as “infielders missing tags that are ruled outs, outfielders trapping the ball in their gloves for outs, and base runners trying to take out the middle infielder.” Hogan feels that there will always be performance-enhancing drugs in baseball and that there is nothing can be done to stop it. There are far more players who get by with taking the drugs than there are that are caught. Health risks are mentioned but Hogan suggests those risk may be puffed up. Then there is the fact that those who don’t use the stuff still do things to their bodies that give them an edge in the sport. Hogan comments on baseball being pure and implies that one can only find that a local high school game. One bold statement made by Hogan is that deep down we all want to see the “biggest, baddest, and the strongest” the sport has to offer. To conclude his article, Hogan suggest for everyone “to relax, it’s only a game.” (“Should Baseball Give in and Allow Steroids?“)

At first glance, I thought who in their right mind would suggest such a thing. When reading this article, I begin to agree with Hogan on the fact that so many guys are looking for an edge, something that catapult them into the top of their sport. Hogan admits “I’m not happy about the seemingly widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. If I could wave a magic wand and make it go away, I certainly would.” (“Should Baseball Give in and Allow Steroids?“) It seems that the problem of steroids is more complicated than that. We can just test everyone, every single day. As more and more drugs become accessible, test will have to be revised to catch the latest ones on the market. What is one to do? Do we turn our backs or do we eliminate each drugs user one by one no matter what damage it does to the sport. Are there more important issues that baseball could focus on?

Maybe there is no “pure baseball” anymore, at least not on the pro level. So many athletes do abuse their bodies to be stronger and faster. Are they doing it for us? Do we set the bar as to what a superior athlete is? Maybe the blame could be placed on more than the user. We want our team to win so we challenge the players to improve. As fans, we want our team to be the best and win the ultimate prize “A World Championship”. If we just sit back and watch the players do what they do best and enjoy the homeruns and antics of the game, what are we losing? Let’s not ask about steroids or performance-enhancing drugs. After all, we are not the ones paying for it.

Hogan, Michael. “Should Baseball Give in and Allow Steroids?” Vanity Fair. 7 May 2009. Web. 1 Apr. 2010.

<http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2009/05/should-baseball-give-in-and-allow-steroids.html>.

Who’s Paying For It?

The New Yorker publishes an article written by Ben McGrath were McGrath describes opening day in the new Yankee stadium. He comments on Yogi Berra throwing out the first pitch and a ten-piece band playing “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond, which McGrath states that “song is the unofficial theme song of the Boston Red Sox.” He mentions that the new stadium cost one and a half billion dollars to build and was built right across the street from the old stadium. The new stadium has a Babe Ruth Plaza, Mohegan Sun Sports Bar, and Jim Beam Suite Lounges. Seats that cost twenty-six-hundred-dollars suggest only the wealthy will have the pleasure of seeing this stadium. McGrath explains about running transcripts which are a new feature that appear on the outfield scoreboards. Included in these transcripts are prompts for the crowd to cheer or boo the players. McGrath goes on to mention the price tag for a Philly cheese steak, citrus slaw, nachos, a hotdog, and beer. Also mentioned is the art gallery that is found on the field level with paintings from a German-born pop artist. In a game were the Yankees are hosting the Indians from Cleveland, McGrath mentions that two cardiologists left in the seventh inning while the Yankees were trailing by nines runs. Theses cardiologists finishing viewing the game at a nearby bowling alley were they received free Heinekens. To conclude the events for the night, McGrath acknowledges that the Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner, was escorted on the field in a golf cart and proclaimed that the new ball park was “beautiful.” (“Yankees For Sale”).

While I admit that we sometimes get excited about something new being built, one can’t help but wonder if we go overboard when building these new stadiums. By adding all the latest technology, the price tag obliviously will skyrocket. McGrath states “The average ticket price is up seventy-six per cent” in this new stadium. (“Yankees For Sale”). What average family can afford to take the kids to see their beloved heroes that are adorned in pinstripes? I realize that maybe the old ball park had its share of flaws and repairs that needed to be made, but was building this stadium during a struggling economy such a good idea? Families have so much stress that comes along with working and trying to just survive life’s curveballs. A night out watching their favorite baseball team might be what the doctor ordered to relax and spend time together. With the demand of new stadiums and higher salaries, have we taken this pleasure away from the traditional American family?

When describing this “one and a half billion dollar stadium”, words like sports bar and lounges seem to boast of luxury. McGrath mentions a “couple of cardiologists” that were at the game. This maybe the clientele that this new stadium was intended to attract. Gone are the blue collar fathers who get off early to take their sons to watch nine innings of America’s beloved game. With all the glamour and publicity that was built in the new Yankee stadium, is the focus more on the facility than the actual game itself? The season of spring welcomes new life and sunnier days; it also means that baseball is active everywhere in every small town, USA. Children are playing little league and fathers are volunteering their time as coaches. Let’s bring family back to baseball and rid our stadiums of luxury boxes and sport lounges.

McGrath, Ben. “Yankees For Sale.” The New Yorker 27 Apr. 2009. The New Yorker. 27 Apr. 2009. Web. 31 Mar. 2010.

http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2009/04/27/090427ta_talk_mcgrath