There is ZERO reason that ANYONE should be crushed for liking "What Am I Gonna Do With You" by Barry White. Zero. Keep on unapologetically owning it, Doc.
I actually keep a Spotify playlist of songs that I like and would probably get crushed for that I've titled "Sorry, Not Sorry" and it includes gems like Do Ya Think I'm Sexy by Rod Stewart, True by Spandau Ballet and Brandy by Looking Glass. Plenty of haters for those songs (and others), but not me.
I love baseball however my issue is going to the games. I used to enjoy the quiet time between innings to discuss game with whomever I am with. With peoples constant need to be entertained that time is gone.
Nailed it. Growing up in the 1970's in Cincinnati was special for obvious reasons. But bigger picture, Marty and Joe on the radio wafting through the air, listening on a transistor radio on outside porch. The image is not the fantasy of some good old days memory. It was very real.
Evolution,”National Pastime “has gone the way of respect for politicians.Both ceded their gravity for temporary riches.Large market greed helped destroy baseball but it was killed on the grass roots level. No neighborhood pick up games, no sandlots, no dreams of kids,;basketball,football,& even soccer&volleyball are kids sports of choice
My father listened to Barry White from the 70’s when he was in the Navy through the 90’s. Bought most of his new albums. This is bad, and I mean The Man delivering the goods and hauling the mail.
Doc, I’m confused. Are you for or against rule changes that keep us from enduring 3 plus hour games which consist of pitchers walking around the mound 5 times, turning the ball over and over in their mitt and/or batters adjusting their batting gloves every pitch and looking like they’d rather be anywhere but here? Swinging the bat around 3 more times and then finally stepping in only to receive a ball they didn’t hit and the whole routine starts again? You have said in the past, unless I’m mistaken, that you would rather we watch real baseball being played than these rituals noted above that have become commonplace. I have loved baseball my entire life until the last several years. I saw the Big Red Machine, many games in person as well as Pete’s 4192 and the 1990 team. I had tickets and sat through many games, many seasons after until I became so bored with the adjusting and the walking around and the delays that I gave up. I still watch occasionally, but I can’t tell you the last complete baseball game I watched and enjoyed. If the new rules make the game more interesting with you know, actual great pitching, hitting and runs scored without all the meaningless fluff in between, I’ll be thrilled and I’ll be watching or listening.
I will watch the Reds opener - I have been for over 50 years. But, for years I would turn down the TV audio and listen to Marty and Joe. Even when the Reds were not competitive I still looked forward to the Reds on the Radio and some beer and cigars - even liked rain delays so I could hear Joe stories or the banana phone! NOT NOW! I don’t like the play by play guy in the radio booth and I hate the new TV guy - I miss Thom and Chris on TV and the Reds fired Thom and should have given him a second chance. So, I’ll watch Opening Day and then not much since they will not be competitive. Sell the Team Bob and FIRE little phil.
Well, I can't do truly, madly, and just give it up. I'd rather suffer, I guess. Who wants to give up something good for good? It's like giving up a dream, for no more dreams. Stuff like that just doesn't go away for me. I loved baseball when I lived in Illinois. Loved the Cubbies then. Learned to not love them when I came to Cinci, but after all, it wasn't the same old Cubbies it was then, so I get it. I loved being at Wrigley field where when a Beer was passed down the isle, everyone took a swig. We were a family at a picnic. I loved listening to the games into the wee hours of the morning from home when the Cubs would hold out for up to 20 innings trying to win. They taught me, never give up. So, I'm not giving up on the Reds. If we have a group of players that gel and show they really love the game and each other and truly are trying to win, If we have a good announcer, I can bear it. If they just let us "listen" to the ball as it slams into the catcher's glove and I can imagine the resin flying in the air as it hits the cushioned leather; the vendor calling COLD BEER from the stands; or the sweet sound of the bat when it catches a homer; when I embarrass my friends by being the only adult who buys a cotton candy just like the kids around me; when I turn my ball cap inside out, trying to turn the game around...why not, the guys can do it? I miss Cracker Jack and the toy at the bottom of the box. I miss being a kid...I miss being able to dream that good things don't have to end if we don't let them. I miss playing baseball in the orchard on the farm. I miss the game. I miss seeing kids play it here when I see empty ball fields in the summer. I feel sorry for them that they don't see the grass is greener out there and it's a lot more fun to be outside with a team.
I can really relate to your column today. Baseball was a key to my summer enjoyment during my childhood through college. Baseball was summer. We played baseball every time we could get at least four people together in a neighborhood field. If nobody was around, I would throw a tennis ball against a stone wall in our driveway. I had imaginary games and knew every lineup and developed my math and memory skills by keeping updated team statistics for every game. I could even calculate ERA's in my head. Many of us played in little leagues, but had more fun in our neighborhood games. Everyone played and even bad players had a chance to develop their skills.
I think baseball's decline when everything became more organized. Parents wanted their kids to be stars so they started all of the traveling leagues. Average players were left out and many good ones got burned out. Free agency ruined the team and player continuity. Players became more distanced from the communities and less accessible to fans. I feel fortunate to have lived my early years when I did.
Regarding Barry White, nobody put more heart into his performance at the time. Every guy I knew wanted Barry White's voice. Unfortunately, I had Tom Selleck's voice but not his looks.
The world has changed. I grew up in the late 80s / early 90s. We played Wiffle Ball all summer long, listened to Marty and Joe and traded baseball cards. I would walk to the local UDF to pick up a Mount Washington Press to check where my team was in the Knothole baseball standings. Simpler times!
I don't know if I should find it concerning that I am 35 years old and Doc captures all of my thoughts in this article!
I get sad when I see how baseball is no longer a cornerstone in our American culture. When I was growing up in the 90s every boy in my class played knothole/little league baseball. Some of my best memories is when our little Terrace Park team advanced in the tournament and played under the lights at Crosley Field. It was the closest thing to a "Sandlot" moment that I ever experienced.
I love all sports - Football, Basketball, Soccer, Lacrosse etc. all of which are great activities for kids. However, I think baseball was an important game to play growing up because it is so mentally challenging. You can't hide in baseball - it takes courage to step up to the plate and face a big kid throwing fast balls or fielding a hard grounder in the infield. In Baseball there are a lot of individual moments that makeup a team effort - one exceptional athlete can't win the game for the team. The sport prides itself on discipline, patience, and technique. I feel like all aspiring athletes could learn a thing or two from playing baseball. I am afraid it won't be the thing to do when my son gets to grade school.
Besides the efforts to shorten the games, what about shortening the season? The BIG 162 is too much IMO. How about at least back to the previous 154? Less of former “good thing” might be a good thing?
There is ZERO reason that ANYONE should be crushed for liking "What Am I Gonna Do With You" by Barry White. Zero. Keep on unapologetically owning it, Doc.
I actually keep a Spotify playlist of songs that I like and would probably get crushed for that I've titled "Sorry, Not Sorry" and it includes gems like Do Ya Think I'm Sexy by Rod Stewart, True by Spandau Ballet and Brandy by Looking Glass. Plenty of haters for those songs (and others), but not me.
I still love baseball. The mid-week business day specials are the best games to go to. They never get old to me.
I love baseball however my issue is going to the games. I used to enjoy the quiet time between innings to discuss game with whomever I am with. With peoples constant need to be entertained that time is gone.
Nailed it. Growing up in the 1970's in Cincinnati was special for obvious reasons. But bigger picture, Marty and Joe on the radio wafting through the air, listening on a transistor radio on outside porch. The image is not the fantasy of some good old days memory. It was very real.
Evolution,”National Pastime “has gone the way of respect for politicians.Both ceded their gravity for temporary riches.Large market greed helped destroy baseball but it was killed on the grass roots level. No neighborhood pick up games, no sandlots, no dreams of kids,;basketball,football,& even soccer&volleyball are kids sports of choice
My father listened to Barry White from the 70’s when he was in the Navy through the 90’s. Bought most of his new albums. This is bad, and I mean The Man delivering the goods and hauling the mail.
Come On!!
https://youtu.be/WSEbzxCVKjc
Doc, I’m confused. Are you for or against rule changes that keep us from enduring 3 plus hour games which consist of pitchers walking around the mound 5 times, turning the ball over and over in their mitt and/or batters adjusting their batting gloves every pitch and looking like they’d rather be anywhere but here? Swinging the bat around 3 more times and then finally stepping in only to receive a ball they didn’t hit and the whole routine starts again? You have said in the past, unless I’m mistaken, that you would rather we watch real baseball being played than these rituals noted above that have become commonplace. I have loved baseball my entire life until the last several years. I saw the Big Red Machine, many games in person as well as Pete’s 4192 and the 1990 team. I had tickets and sat through many games, many seasons after until I became so bored with the adjusting and the walking around and the delays that I gave up. I still watch occasionally, but I can’t tell you the last complete baseball game I watched and enjoyed. If the new rules make the game more interesting with you know, actual great pitching, hitting and runs scored without all the meaningless fluff in between, I’ll be thrilled and I’ll be watching or listening.
I will watch the Reds opener - I have been for over 50 years. But, for years I would turn down the TV audio and listen to Marty and Joe. Even when the Reds were not competitive I still looked forward to the Reds on the Radio and some beer and cigars - even liked rain delays so I could hear Joe stories or the banana phone! NOT NOW! I don’t like the play by play guy in the radio booth and I hate the new TV guy - I miss Thom and Chris on TV and the Reds fired Thom and should have given him a second chance. So, I’ll watch Opening Day and then not much since they will not be competitive. Sell the Team Bob and FIRE little phil.
Well, I can't do truly, madly, and just give it up. I'd rather suffer, I guess. Who wants to give up something good for good? It's like giving up a dream, for no more dreams. Stuff like that just doesn't go away for me. I loved baseball when I lived in Illinois. Loved the Cubbies then. Learned to not love them when I came to Cinci, but after all, it wasn't the same old Cubbies it was then, so I get it. I loved being at Wrigley field where when a Beer was passed down the isle, everyone took a swig. We were a family at a picnic. I loved listening to the games into the wee hours of the morning from home when the Cubs would hold out for up to 20 innings trying to win. They taught me, never give up. So, I'm not giving up on the Reds. If we have a group of players that gel and show they really love the game and each other and truly are trying to win, If we have a good announcer, I can bear it. If they just let us "listen" to the ball as it slams into the catcher's glove and I can imagine the resin flying in the air as it hits the cushioned leather; the vendor calling COLD BEER from the stands; or the sweet sound of the bat when it catches a homer; when I embarrass my friends by being the only adult who buys a cotton candy just like the kids around me; when I turn my ball cap inside out, trying to turn the game around...why not, the guys can do it? I miss Cracker Jack and the toy at the bottom of the box. I miss being a kid...I miss being able to dream that good things don't have to end if we don't let them. I miss playing baseball in the orchard on the farm. I miss the game. I miss seeing kids play it here when I see empty ball fields in the summer. I feel sorry for them that they don't see the grass is greener out there and it's a lot more fun to be outside with a team.
You know things are going well when you go to your new girlfriend's place and she puts on a Barry White LP.
Fabulous, Doc.
Not having seen the deceased for many years, I can still appreciate a beautiful eulogy.
I can really relate to your column today. Baseball was a key to my summer enjoyment during my childhood through college. Baseball was summer. We played baseball every time we could get at least four people together in a neighborhood field. If nobody was around, I would throw a tennis ball against a stone wall in our driveway. I had imaginary games and knew every lineup and developed my math and memory skills by keeping updated team statistics for every game. I could even calculate ERA's in my head. Many of us played in little leagues, but had more fun in our neighborhood games. Everyone played and even bad players had a chance to develop their skills.
I think baseball's decline when everything became more organized. Parents wanted their kids to be stars so they started all of the traveling leagues. Average players were left out and many good ones got burned out. Free agency ruined the team and player continuity. Players became more distanced from the communities and less accessible to fans. I feel fortunate to have lived my early years when I did.
Regarding Barry White, nobody put more heart into his performance at the time. Every guy I knew wanted Barry White's voice. Unfortunately, I had Tom Selleck's voice but not his looks.
Paul, you're all over it, and it does make me sad. I thought you were writing just about me.
The world has changed. I grew up in the late 80s / early 90s. We played Wiffle Ball all summer long, listened to Marty and Joe and traded baseball cards. I would walk to the local UDF to pick up a Mount Washington Press to check where my team was in the Knothole baseball standings. Simpler times!
I don't know if I should find it concerning that I am 35 years old and Doc captures all of my thoughts in this article!
I get sad when I see how baseball is no longer a cornerstone in our American culture. When I was growing up in the 90s every boy in my class played knothole/little league baseball. Some of my best memories is when our little Terrace Park team advanced in the tournament and played under the lights at Crosley Field. It was the closest thing to a "Sandlot" moment that I ever experienced.
I love all sports - Football, Basketball, Soccer, Lacrosse etc. all of which are great activities for kids. However, I think baseball was an important game to play growing up because it is so mentally challenging. You can't hide in baseball - it takes courage to step up to the plate and face a big kid throwing fast balls or fielding a hard grounder in the infield. In Baseball there are a lot of individual moments that makeup a team effort - one exceptional athlete can't win the game for the team. The sport prides itself on discipline, patience, and technique. I feel like all aspiring athletes could learn a thing or two from playing baseball. I am afraid it won't be the thing to do when my son gets to grade school.
Besides the efforts to shorten the games, what about shortening the season? The BIG 162 is too much IMO. How about at least back to the previous 154? Less of former “good thing” might be a good thing?