Juneteenth – Knowledge and awareness: two qualities
that give the possessor power and control in any
situation. Know when to throw that pitch, when to steal
that base, when to walk a batter or relieve a pitcher.
Above all, never let those opposed to you fool you
or get away with lies and misdirection. Sense Truth.
There are so many lessons to be learned from what
occurred in Texas in 1865. Wisdom isn’t only for the
Sages. Connie Mack, Tony La Russa and John
McGraw were wise managers. Rickey Henderson was
a wise base stealer. Ty Cobb and Ted Williams were
wise hitters. Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson were
sagacious pitchers. There have been so many others.
The list is deep. Th sport has always been quite wealthy
that way.
Father’s Day – There has always been a special
relationship between the older, experienced, successful
baseball players and rookies and sophomores. Trust
is the foundation. A player struggling through a sophomore
jinx looks up to more experienced teammates for guidance,
advice. After all, they have common goals: a winning record
and a championship. For that reason, the old pros “father”
fledglings donning the same uniform. Willie Stargell was
known as “Pops”, David Ortiz was “Big Papi” Edgar
Martinez was “Papi” – – – and there was James “Cool Papa”
Bell, a player from the Negro Leagues. Baseball history is
replete with such suggestive nicknames: Dad Clark and
Dad Clarkson, Pop Smith . . . and, of course, three-time
Oriole pitching All-Star Milt Pappas. (Sorry — couldn’t
help that last one)
THE POETRY OF THE GAME