The Final Essay

Make sure the file is a PDF

dropitto.me/mcollie

Password: EnglishRocks

File name: Shoeless_Name.pdf

Weekly Post #15: Who would you be?

I know for some this is an easy post, and for others this is nearly impossible. Try and have some fun and take into account all of the awesome stuff we've read and learned this semester.

You can be any ballplayer (past or present). Who are you and why?

Not going to lie, my first instinct is Ricky Henderson. Great speed. Played on some fun teams. But the man has hubris. He didn't just burn out, he faded away. He bumped down to minor leagues and some old school barnstorming at the end of his career. Some say it was for the love of the game, but I know otherwise. The man has an ego. He couldn't imagine life without the fame. He has pushed the A's away until only recently when they've been successful. Interesting. Very interesting. So knowing that he's kind of a jerk and overly interested in the money, I can't logically choose him. Option #2: Dave Winfield. Another great from my younger years. Sure he's in the Hall of Fame as a Padre, but I know him from his years with the Yankees. He's not only in the MLB Hall, but also the NCAA. He still works in the front office for the Padres and he also does commentary for Fox. But what really sells me is that he does a lot of community outreach and has committed his life to bring baseball to anyone interested in playing. He believes in full access. Clearly I've gotten cheesy in my old age, but I do appreciate someone who loves the sport for what happens on the field and off.

Just in case you're wondering about other options I might have chosen ....

#3: Cal Ripken Jr.
#4: Julio Franco (just signed for independent league at 55!!)
#5: Bo Jackson
#6: Don Mattingly
#7: Lou Pinella
#8: Pete Rose
#9: Johnny Bench
#10: Mariano Rivera/David Ortiz

Weekly Post #14: The Walk-up Song

Seeing as our semester is coming to a close, I thought we could have some fun with this post. Here's an interesting piece from the SJ Mercury News about Walk-up Songs. It's a good read with some fun comments on the history of the walk-up and some insight into why players picked their songs. SO ... now you have to pick your walk-up song. You get 11-15 seconds of any appropriate song. Post a link to the YouTube version of your song, and tell us why you chose the song you did.

My walk-up song would be a toss up between Katrina and the Waves Walking on Sunshine (opening seconds) or Madonna's Holiday (seconds 20-35) or a classic from my earlier years .... Bel Biv Devoe's Poison. Then there's Lionel Richie Dancing on the Ceiling. Last idea: Karma Chameleon by the Culture Club. It not only says, you stay classy San Diego, but also, the 80s rock!

Shoeless up to 233

Sense of Place
Ray
Annie
Mark
JD Salinger
Doc Graham
Shoeless joe

Use the text to support your claims/ideas
1. How do these characters differ in their reactions to place?
2. How do these characters reveal their sense of place and their connection to it?

Eddie
"But I understand Eddie Scissons. I know that some of us, ... sweet love" (218-219). What role does self-delusion play in life and dream fulfillment? Is Ray or Salinger or any of the seers delusional? How does delusion play into one's ability to see the field?

What connections are we to make between the Kid Scissons and Eddie Scissons? What does the field reveal about the dreamers?

Eddie's sermon (227-229). **In what way is baseball a universal language?

Why is is Eddie who gives Ray permission to see/speak to his dad? Why does Ray need permission? "Last inning of a perfectly played ball game (231).

The Others (just like Lost)
220-221: Idea of Field of Shared Dreams. Idea of payment for dreams. Can real dreams bring in money? Maybe only as an unplanned benefit? Why is Ray so reluctant to accept money? "The magic has been broken" (221).

Shoeless up to 214

Pay attention!

Major themes thus far:
Love
Faith/Religion/Belief
Family
Hope
Magic

1. Find evidence of these themes throughout the text.
2. How do these themes relate to the idea or fulfillment of the American Dream?

Posted with Blogsy

Shoeless up to 186

Veda Ponikvar is real!

A little board work: Please respond to five of the quotes. Think about how they relate to character development, themes, symbols, or the language of the text.

Weekly Post #13: How Fans Choose Teams

They Hook You When You're Young

From the NYT a few weeks back, and I loved it! Very interesting research into why we love the teams we do and why those younger years are so important in loyalty. Be sure to check out the charts and graph. Cool stuff. What are you thoughts? Theories? Insights?

Shoeless in Iowa 90-131

1. Read 96-101 aloud.

• final two paragraphs on 97  before the break -- Ray is a dreamer. How does Kinsella employ imagery to convey mythology?
• What's the difference between myth and religion?
• What does Ray learn from Salinger? Salinger from Ray?
• How does Ray convince Salinger to go? Look specifically at the language.
• Ray is tuned into baseball while others are tuned into religion. What is Salinger tuned into?
• Big question -- why do people believe or have faith?

2. Ray is on this mission to collect players and people and bring them to his field. He's facilitating dream realization for not only himself but also strangers in need. Put yourself in Ray's shoes. Imagine you've heard a voice and gotten a call.

1. What do you build?
2. Who do you bring to your location?
3. Why have you brought this person(s)?
4. What lessons do they offer you?

Some fun links

Baseball Nation Map

Who needs bad lip reading?

Great clips

Never swing in the dugout

Shoeless Joe: 23-53

Cleveland

Cleveland 

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh at night, post-game

Yankee Stadium

Yankee Stadium at night

1981 Yankee Stadium

Some bat info: see 1.10
Bat Technology from Louisville Slugger

MLB Groundskeepers Don't Mind Getting Dirty

J.D. Salinger Obit

Sentimental: excessive, self-indulgent
Nostalgic: longing for
How can we see these two feelings thus far in the novel? What is the nuanced difference as expressed through Ray?

Free write: In Shoeless Joe, a voice tells Ray, "ease his pain," and he knows immediately that it is J.D. Salinger whose pain needs to be eased. So Ray begins preparing (see pages 33-34). Think about  an immense challenge you have had to prepare yourself for (a test, a game, a performance). What rituals did you partake in to ensure you were successful?

Discussion

Hero's cycle

How do our own rituals inform our reading of this text?

A look at similes: Thinking back on your immense challenge and your rituals, write 7 similes characterizing your experience.

Weekly Post #12: The big shift

Baseball is becoming more and more scientific, and one of the best ways to see this is to watch how a team handles a batter. It used to be a pitchers job to know how a hitter hits, but know the entire team must know not only how a hitter hits (or doesn't) but also where a hitter hits. In different situations. With different pitch counts. It's crazy! This article (and the accompanying pieces -- check out the more heading a few scrolls down) gets into some of the nitty gritty of the game. This article satisfies my inner stats geek, my tactician, my desire to quantify the unquantifiable.

You wrote some amazing responses to the Bryce Harper piece, looking for the same ideas here. What did you learn. What's new? What's your take-away? I know we don't all look at baseball the same way, but I do believe there are some gems in here for everyone.

And for those moments (Wes) when you want to procrastinate, here are some nice close-ups from spring training. I hope you can get over the fact that the players are Dodgers. The pics are pretty cool.

Even better procrastination material: Roy Hobbs lives! And he's a Brewer. This is crazy! Nuts! Wild!

Shoeless Joe 1-23

1. The 80s (13 mins: Inning 9, Chpts 13, 14, 15 -- maybe Chpt 5 as related to Jackie Robinson)

2. Free write: Look at the quote that prefaces the book. Why do you think W.P. Kinsella began the book with this idea?

"Some men see thing as they are, and say why, I dream of things that never were, and say why not."

3. A bit more insight into the novel. And what is magical realism?

Discussion questions:

1. How is Ray's epiphany on p.16 related to the magic on the field?

2. Where in the chapter can we find magic (not literally the word)? Why is it important to weave that in from the start? What is W.P. Kinsella trying to show us? What is he asking of us?

3. In what ways do Karin & Annie differ? Why is their difference essential to Ray's success/failure?

4. How does Annie's faith in Ray mirror his faith in baseball? And why has W.P. Kinsella created such similar faiths? What commentary might he be making on faith in general?

5. Let's look at some verbs .... find a few that just pop from the page. And, pay close attention to the verbs and similes/metaphors as we move forward.

Magical Realism, Shoeless Joe & more

Welcome back! Lots to do as we begin our study of Shoeless Joe.

The Thrill of the Grass
*What is magical realism?
*What does the grass represent?
*How does the narrator convey his sense of ownership over the game?

1919 + 1982 = Shoeless Joe

1. Jackie Robinson clip because yesterday was Jackie Robinson day in MLB (April 15, 1947 debut!). Inning 9, Chpt 5 (8 mins)

2. Inning 3, Chpts 12 & 13 = 1919 (37 mins)

3. Inning 9, Chpts 11, 12, 13 = early 1980s baseball (13 mins)

What was happening in America in 1982?

• Recession
• High unemployment (10.8%)
• High inflation (13.5%)
• Out of recession by 1984

Weekly Post #11: Bryce Harper's swing

This is one of my favorite baseball articles of the last few years. The content is good. The media is good. The combination of the two is awesome. I'm not asking you to think about larger themes or ideas, just respond to what you read. What did you learn? What did you think of this baseball package? I definitely look at this as a great example of alternative story-telling, and that's why I think it's great. Enjoy.

And this has nothing to do with Harper, but it's quite funny. Love how athletes prank each other.

The Natural way to hand things in ...

1. Save file as a PDF and title as such: Name_Natural.pdf
2. go to dropitto.me/mcollie
3. Password: EnglishRocks
4. Submit your paper
5. Give Mary a high-5
6. Wish your peers a merry spring break
7. Get thee gone!

We start our study of Shoeless Joe upon return, so please bring that book to class.

Weekly Post #10: Strikeouts

A piece about strikeouts from last year's spring baseball preview. Not going to lie, March Madness is killing my baseball reading. Alas, this piece has some interesting stats on strikeouts, the how and the why, and more. Think about Roy and is strikeout issue (Roy from the novel, not Roy from the film). Be sure to check out the interactive graphic. What to comment on: 1. coolest fact, 2. something you didn't know, and 3. role of strikeouts in today's game (either for batter or pitcher).

This post isn't due until the Sunday night before we return from spring break. That's April 13.

The Natural: it's all over

Pete Rose 
1. Video
2. Article

Baseball's Gambling Scandals

Black Sox Scandal

Roy: strikeout scene and final chapter.

On to The Natural -- How has your character changed over the course of the novel? What role did your character  play in the fulfillment of Roy's hero's cycle?

Big question: What are we to think of Roy?

Weekly Post #9: Bernard Malamud

An interesting book review about two new books by Bernard Malamud. While this is not baseball related, it is some current news about the author of our current novel. I learned lots of interesting things about Malamud -- I always knew the baseball book was an anomaly in her collection -- but what new information did you learn about Malamud the author?

Share your thoughts. Thanks for being insightful! Keep up the good work.

The Natural: Day 5

To begin: How has Malamud linked masculinity to the concept of a hero? In other words, how is Roy's success and failure expressed in terms of gender and gender expectations? Look for specific evidence from the text to support your ideas.

Some small group work: Quote sheet

Discussion
1. In what way does the American definition of a hero conflict with that of what a hero really should be?
2. Compare and contrast Iris & Roy.
3. How does blind ambition conflict with having measured values?

Weekly Post #8: Tommy & Frank

A great video and article about Dr. Frank Jobe and the pitcher Tommy John.

Dr Frank Jobe died on Thursday, and this is a great piece talking about his impact on the game and the legacy he's left behind. Any thoughts? Comments? Insights? New information learned? Not looking for monster comments. Just respond to the video and article.

The Natural: Day 4

Back in groups for 5-10 minutes to check-in ...

• Roy — Grace, Cameronn, Luc, 
• Pop — Ruby, Wes, Maddy
• Judge — Trevor, Emily, Paul
• Memo —Patchy, Ben L, Nick, Beth
• Whammer/Bump — Ben E, Kate, Colin
• Max Mercy — Amanda, Noah, Sandy

Once all is said and done ...

**Imagine your character was a student at MA. Describe a typical day for your character. Classes, friend, group, after-school activities.

**Comments and grades are coming up shortly, so write one comment for your character from any teacher you like. You can imagine your character in any grade.
-----------------------------------------------------
Maybe?? Gehrig's Farewell Speech

Free write:

Vengeance/revenge: noun — punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong

Justice: noun — the quality of being fair and reasonable; the administration of the law or authority in maintaining this.

Is Roy seeking justice or vengeance/revenge for what Harriet Bird did to him? Does the distinction matter? Does a hero seek out one over the other?

Discussion

1. 105-106/110: Uncertainty in Roy's language.

2. "You work at is so — sometimes you even look desperate — but to him it was a playful game and so was his life" (107/111). What is Memo's take on Roy as a baseball player? How does that compare with how she saw Bump? How would Memo define the word hero? Does this quote change the idea of Bump as a failed hero?

3. Where in the reading can we see signs of Memo's toxic nature? What does her toxicity tell us about Roy? About Roy's ability? 

4. How are Roy & Memo are like Gatsby & Daisy? Odysseus & the Sirens?

5. Read aloud: "He woke in the locker room, stretched out on a bench. ...All night long he waited for the bloody silver bullet" (126-8/133). In what ways does this passage demonstrate Roy's failure to understand his role in terms of healing the Fisher King? What does this passage tell us about Roy's truest desires?

6. What does the woman in the stands stand up for? What does she give Roy that Memo cannot?

The Natural: Day 3

Benching a Legend

How does this piece by Roger Kahn relate to the major themes presented in The Natural? How does Musial compare/contrast to Roy Hobbs? What universal ideas are both Kahn and Malamud trying to convey?

Character Analysis and Baseline Understanding (see handout ... a real, paper handout)

• Roy — Grace, Cameronn, Luc, 
• Pop — Ruby, Wes, Maddy
• Judge — Trevor, Emily, Paul
• Memo —Patchy, Ben L, Nick, Beth
• Whammer/Bump — Ben E, Kate, Colin
• Max Mercy — Amanda, Noah, Sandy

Once all is said and done ...

**Imagine your character was a student at MA. Describe a typical day for your character. Classes, friend, group, after-school activities.

**Comments and grades are coming up shortly, so write one comment for your character from any teacher you like. You can imagine your character in any grade.

Week #7: Jobs off the field

While not thematically linked to our reading, I love this article for the behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life of a baseball player. We're not talking the big guns and the high paid stars; we're talking about the utility players, the minor and major leaguers who are in the game for the game and because clearly they're not making much money.

What are your thoughts on this piece? Learn anything?

Keep up the good work.

Week #6: Mariano .... a hero?

Staying with the hero thing ...

Mariano Rivera is considered by most to be the greatest closer of all time. But he's also a Yankee. An enemy to all. A player for the big business side of baseball. Despite that all, Mariano has garnered one of the best reputations in the sport both for his work on the field and his actions off. I bring up this article not because I am a Yankees fan, but because Mariano embodied that old stereotype of an athletic hero. That said, maybe you disagree.

Please read this article: Marian Rivera, King of the Closers and comment on how baseball insiders define a hero.

For some reading fun and to make you think WHAT?! Read this, too. It's related to Rivera.

The Natural Begins

Oakland's very own "dusty field, the listless game and half-empty stands" (37). So sad.

1952
What's going on in the world & the US? (7 mins)

• Cold War (1945-1991): political tension between Eastern Bloc countries (Soviet Union & Warsaw Pact) and Western Bloc countries (US, NATO & allies)
• Korean War (1950-1953): North Korea invaded South Korea. US supported South and supplied almost all of the international soldiers needed to fight the war against the communist north; world looks bleak.
• Second Red Scare (1947-1957): period of heightened awareness of communism and its possible influences on American politics and systems; Federal Employee Loyalty Program under Truman; Climate of terrible fear (unnecessary). Truman could have stopped all of this, but he didn't. More about his political position.
• 1949: Atomic Bomb exploded by Russia; communist revolution in China

BIG QUESTIONS: What was the political climate in the US during this time? How were those attitudes manifesting themselves in the public discourse?

What was going on in baseball?

• Inning 7: Chpt 1 & 2 (12 min), Chpt 3 @ 21:23 (Jackie Robinson), Chpt 5 (Dodger v Giants pennant race)
• Leaving WWII Era (1939-1949): Dimaggio, Mel Ott, Stan Musial, Hank Greenberg; integration finally happens (slowly ... all teams integrated by 1961);
• Golden Age of baseball (1950s-1965 ish): more integration; Clemente, Robinson, Aaron, Mays, Williams, Mantle, Campanella, Berra all playing;
• Williams, Greenberg, Dimaggio all serve in the military, putting careers on hold
• 1953: Boston Braves move to Milwaukee (until 1966)
• 1954: St. Louis Browns moved to Baltimore (becoming the Orioles)
• 1955: Philadelphia Athletics move to KC (stay until 1968)
• 1957: Dodgers leave NYC for LA (bad idea!)

BIG QUESTIONS: How is the national pastime growing? How is it becoming more universal? How has baseball claimed and defined the American hero?

THE NATURAL: A converging of these two worlds. There is the celebration and excitement of the golden age of baseball set against the backdrop of worry and fear found during the Cold War. One of the major themes of this novel is the conflict between myth (baseball) and reality (living in a Cold War world).

Most titles give us an idea what the story is about, and what we will experience if we read. But some authors use titles to do more than that; some use metaphors so their titles create additional meanings.
In the world of sports, talent scouts, managers, coaches, writers and fans examine the talent of newcomers and wonder whether they will be successful. A player whose skills seem to need no training, or whose skills seem God-given, is called a natural.

In the Middle Ages (approx. 500A.D. to 1350 A.D.), the term natural referred to an idiot, a kind of foolish innocent person whom it was thought God protected.

How does Bernard Malamud use the title of the book to allude to Roy as a natural in both senses?

What's an allegory?: a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

Ann Steinhagen Obituary

Small Groups **Some literary critics have said that Malamud put a realistic man in a mythological setting. Is that fair? Has Malamud set Roy up for failure? So far, has Roy changed in the 15 years since the shooting? Be specific in your responses, please.

Discussion
1. Parzival/Percival: What parallels are present?
2. The pitches: how do the three pitches compare? where do we see the language of myth in each pitch?
3. Let's look at the final paragraph in which Harriet shoots Roy. What are we to think of Harriet? Was this expected or unexpected? Where else can we find similar language? In what way does Harriet represent the real? the myth?
---------------
4. The Fisher King, the wasteland
5. In what ways is Bump a failed hero?
6. What kind of person is Roy? How has he changed in 15 years and how has he stayed the same?

7. In what ways are Bump, the Whammer and Roy all variations of the same hero mold? What is Malamud telling us about heroes in society? In what way is this hero mold a commentary on gender and masculinity in 1950s America? Does this commentary still hold true today?

8. Roy waits for Memo & the chance to play. What do these to things have in common? What is Roy seeking from both?

Posted with Blogsy

Week #5: More baseball cards

The 83F Project: Sign Here, Please

Another great piece that reflects back some of the themes we've encountered thus far. What are your thoughts? Keeping it open to any thought this week. Go wild!

For me, I love the line near the end when the idea of fraud is mentioned. Rather than give into that idea, Mortimer, "chooses instead to have faith." For me, baseball is the ritual, the worship, the commitment. Off the field, in the wee hours of the night, Mortimer found a faith that binds him to others. That's baseball at its best, and it transcends almost everything else in communities.

Thanks for your insights!

Week #4: Baseball Cards

This piece from the NY Times has all of the trappings of baseball literature: religious overtones, myth, legend, dedication, magic, and loss. Focus on one of these themes and discuss what role it plays in not only this article but in baseball as we've learned about thus far. Be brief.

**Our visitor Howard Fine will be bringing in some cards next week, so keep this article in mind during Howard's visit.

Another great week of postings. Thanks for your work and insight.

The Essay Prompt

Here's what you're writing about ...

We Are the Ship: The End

In the name of awesomeness. No matter what sport you prefer (or don't prefer), THIS IS AMAZING!

Just down the road from Greenlee field.

To honor Gibson's life, a little league field was built in the same neighborhood as Greenlee Field was in. (Extra but non-baseball info: August Wilson was born just down the street from here!)

Gibson's grave. See the tiny sign to the left of the tree.

Yours truly and the sign. 

Up-close of Gibson's grave. Not very fancy.

For comparison purposes, here is Babe Ruth's grave. Small difference ... (photo not mine)

Photo of Jackie Robinson in the KC Royals Hall of Fame/Museum.

Satchel Page pitching for the Monarchs. KC Hall of Fame/Museum.



Photos from Roberto Clemente Museum. What do you see in this photo? Clemente made his MLB debut in 1955 and played out his career for the Pirates. He was the first Latin American inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973 (and some say the last Pirate), a year after he died.


More of Roberto Clemente


Clemente's San Juan jersey from his team in Puerto Rico.

Another one of Clemente's jerseys.

Clemente and his family at Family Day.

Clemente's Golden Glove; he won 12! He was only in the MLB for 18 seasons. Not bad. 

Clemente's Silver Bat from 1961. He won this four times in his career.

A video
Sean Gibson & Kadir Nelson

Discussion ideas

1. What impact did the negro leagues on the idea of baseball? The role of baseball in American culture? The construction of American masculinity (if any)?
2. How would you describe the tone of this book? Ground your answer specifically to the text.

3. Did a certain negro league player stand out to you? Why?
4. Anything else?

Film
Only the Ball Was White (30 mins)

Some bonus reading about baseball issues in Puerto Rico today.

Weekly Post #3: The scorer and $150!

This is one of my favorite pieces from the last year as I learned more from this than expected. An article on the official scorer of the game, this piece looks into some of the subjectivity present in baseball. Sure there are the umps who seem to be the arbiters of the game, but the scorers are like the gatekeepers of stats.

Two questions:
1. With instant replay (which will be in effect this year) and so many eyes on the field these days, do you think an official scorer is still necessary? Of course there would be someone collecting balls and strikes and hits, but why put the work on one person?
2. What new piece of baseball information did you learn from this article?

Nicely done on week one. Keep up the responses.

We Are the Ship: The Beginning

A breakdown of what a ball is made of.

Evolution of gloves in MLB.

Now a housing development, the old field is only marked by this sign.

Good museum but the majority of the items are reproductions. You're also not allowed to take any photos inside. Not nice!

What team is this building associated with?

A video

Let's get our brains working

1. How did the illustrations enhance the story? Which one was your favorite and why?

2. Inning 4 ends with a quote from Satchel Paige: "We were worked. Worked like the mule that plows the field during the week and pulls the carriage to church on Sunday." What are your thoughts on this line? If the players were the mules, who were the farmers? If the players were tearing up the land(scape) of baseball, do you think they were doing it for future generations?

-------------
Discussion
3. What's the effect of repeating the phrase: "We played in a rough league"?
4. What is the most striking example of the player's struggle presented thus far?
5. What is the significance of the title?

Some KB effect: Inning 5, Chpts. 3, 5, 6

When the Grass Was Real

Cool Papa Bell's Grave

1. Finding the tension: As we transition from the early days of baseball into pre-integration days, there's a tension that exists in the game. There's the national pastime. There's the glory, the heroes, the sentimentality for the era. At the same time, there is the harsh reality of segregation. The struggle for non-white players to make a living and find success. Looking closely at Cool Papa Bell's oral narrative, where can you find this tension? How does he respond to it? Deal with it? What are we to think of this tension?

2. What do you think is the most fantastic detail of Cool Papa's playing career? And why do you think so? Detail could be on or off the field.

Week #2: Chipper Jones

Inspired by Paul Terris' reference and the awesome responses about a fallen hero and the American Dream, here's an article to balance the life of A-Rod. Chipper Jones. What a guy. Very different departure from baseball than what A-Rod is likely to experience.

Some questions ... How does this article play into the sentimentality surrounding the game of baseball and the idea of heroes? Is Chipper the anomaly or the norm? Let's play arm chair psychologist for a moment: why was Chipper able to resist the pull of steroids when A-Rod could not. Give me your best psycho-analysis.

Loved the insights and honesty of last week. Keep up the good work. Remember -- be insightful but be concise. I love your thoughts.

Baseball Poems

Breaking up into smaller groups, discuss the structure, diction and tone of your assigned poem.

Guiding Questions:
1. What aspect(s) of the game is the poet trying to capture?
2. In what way does your poet employ nostalgia or sentimentality?
3. What assumptions are made about the reader?

We've got to watch some film! Inning 1 where we left off.

Ritter & Spaulding & some pics

Wahoo Sam's plaque in the Cincinnati Reds' Hall of Fame.

Where is Wahoo? About 1 hour west of Omaha.

Entrance to current Detroit ballpark: Comerica Park. This new park replaced Tiger Stadium in 2000. Tiger Stadium was then demolished, but a crew of fans and local residents maintain the field to this day. How cool! And remember this when we read Thrill of the Grass.

Dave, an usher at Comerica. One of my favorite shots from the game.

The outfield. Not where Crawford and Cobb played, but it's still a good looking field.

Honus Wagner's grave just outside of Pittsburgh, PA. (Commercial)

Discussion questions:

1. In what ways do these two pieces capture the patriotism and nostalgia often associated with baseball?
2. How does Spaulding perpetuate the gender roles of the traditional American male and what effect does this stereotype have on the game and our society today?
3. What major American themes does Spaulding find present in Base Ball?
4. What else did you learn? New facts, figures, insights?

Watch
Inning 1: Chpts 2-11

Weekly Post #1: A-Rod

A Cruel Bargain for A-Rod and Boys With Baseball Dreams

I'll start the semester off with a great read about A-Rod. And now I'm not posting this because I grew up rooting for the Yankees; rather, I think this article and the steroid issues address one of the major themes we'll cover this semester: the fallen hero. Forget what you think of the over-paid geezer, A-Rod has an impressive baseball resumé and relationship with the game. But then things changed.

What are your thoughts on the idea of A-Rod as a fallen hero? Was his trajectory unavoidable? Is the pressure to be better, faster, stronger partly to blame for his fall?

Welcome to Awesome!

1. Let's start with some laughter. Why? Because.
2. Some baseball news we must talk about .... HoF Voting 2013 and now in 2014 and the veterans committee selection
3. Course intro ... fun stuff
4. What do you expect from this class? Why did you take it (be honest)?
5. Where do we find baseball in our lives every day? Think about phrases and idioms we get from the game.
6. Take Me Out to the Ballgame: When is this song played during a ball game? Why? (Hint: Taft)
7. Casey at the Bat written in June 3, 1888 and published in the SF Examiner (words & recording)
8. Inning 1, Chpt 1 (25 mins)