My wife informs me of a piece about team sports she has seen. Football was conceived for young men to learn the art of war. Basketball is an urban game originally played in a cage. Baseball, the game for immigrants. The hero at the plate beset by The Man, nine people arrayed against him, and even the best only bat .300.
I was also about to leave a "Knicks" themed comment, but you beat me to the punch. I do love baseball...and recognize its unique qualities...but after 53 years, it was good to be a Knicks fan over the past 8 weeks!
Keep in mind that the Orioles still have 10 years to go before they'll have matched the 53 years of Knicks futility. But I sincerely hope that--at some point prior to that 10 year mark--you and other O's fans will experience the sort of joy Knicks fans are currently enjoying...although, hopefully, without the awful violence and destruction that have sadly accompanied the festivities.
Ah, the Knicks! Though I have long preferred the Spurs, the Days of the Good are over. The Admiral? Retired. Tim Duncan? Retired. Pops? Retired, and as I recall, in poor health. So just to be a contrarian in a contrarian season, I pulled (however lightly) for the Knicks to win the championship series. Now, maybe the Hornets can make the playoffs again . . .
I'll have to give it a read, unfortunately if I'm being honest, I've never really liked or watched sports. My dad never got me into it. I am a textbook gen z who grew up playing video games haha. But maybe this article will sway me, if I have to back any team might as well be the Orioles.
This was a great article. You put into words what I felt as a new fan to baseball growing up. I have to admit that since my team (Washington Nationals) have adopted the DH along with the rest of the National league only recently, I have missed the strategic element of the game it forced. Pinch hitters, double switches, and when to go to the bullpen haven’t felt the same since that moment.
I did want to ask you one question about baseball and I figure this is an appropriate spot. We all know the great stories and legends of the game in the past, but I wonder if you feel like baseball’s more recent history has held that same gravitas? Outside of the pure excitement of a series may offer, do you think baseball has had the same type of timeless moments since the steroid era?
This could be rewritten from an English perspective by simply substituting 'cricket.' Just about everything applies including the contrast with 'oblong' games. Test cricket - potentially 5 days of play and no result. Perfection.
Whilst a version of the “oblong game”, I wonder if futbol/soccer functions in somewhat the same way internationally. Raised as a Third Culture Kid, and enjoying not only each 2026 World Cup game I watch, but each game’s back stories, fans, and tournament hopes, it does feel that way. Curaçao scored a goal. Vozinha made seven saves. Hard not to appreciate a world’s admiration, and the stories that will be told.
My wife informs me of a piece about team sports she has seen. Football was conceived for young men to learn the art of war. Basketball is an urban game originally played in a cage. Baseball, the game for immigrants. The hero at the plate beset by The Man, nine people arrayed against him, and even the best only bat .300.
I’m sorry, I’m still reliving OG Anunoby’s tip-in at the end of Game 4.
I was also about to leave a "Knicks" themed comment, but you beat me to the punch. I do love baseball...and recognize its unique qualities...but after 53 years, it was good to be a Knicks fan over the past 8 weeks!
It’s never *good* to be a New York fan of any kind, even if it may be pleasing.
I was raised by a Yankees fan. It’s original sin.
Demented Diabolical Don also supports the Knicks, though to be fair Knicks fans actively disavow him.
Oh, he doesn't, really. He supports only himself.
So, did you watch the Heels win today to reach the National Championship in the College World Series?
Keep in mind that the Orioles still have 10 years to go before they'll have matched the 53 years of Knicks futility. But I sincerely hope that--at some point prior to that 10 year mark--you and other O's fans will experience the sort of joy Knicks fans are currently enjoying...although, hopefully, without the awful violence and destruction that have sadly accompanied the festivities.
Well, without the violence, certainly. But a little property destruction is all in good fun. (I was just in Paris when PSG won the Champions League.)
....not if it's your property!!
Property is theft. That’s just true, even from a Christian perspective.
Ah, the Knicks! Though I have long preferred the Spurs, the Days of the Good are over. The Admiral? Retired. Tim Duncan? Retired. Pops? Retired, and as I recall, in poor health. So just to be a contrarian in a contrarian season, I pulled (however lightly) for the Knicks to win the championship series. Now, maybe the Hornets can make the playoffs again . . .
I'll have to give it a read, unfortunately if I'm being honest, I've never really liked or watched sports. My dad never got me into it. I am a textbook gen z who grew up playing video games haha. But maybe this article will sway me, if I have to back any team might as well be the Orioles.
This was a great article. You put into words what I felt as a new fan to baseball growing up. I have to admit that since my team (Washington Nationals) have adopted the DH along with the rest of the National league only recently, I have missed the strategic element of the game it forced. Pinch hitters, double switches, and when to go to the bullpen haven’t felt the same since that moment.
I did want to ask you one question about baseball and I figure this is an appropriate spot. We all know the great stories and legends of the game in the past, but I wonder if you feel like baseball’s more recent history has held that same gravitas? Outside of the pure excitement of a series may offer, do you think baseball has had the same type of timeless moments since the steroid era?
This could be rewritten from an English perspective by simply substituting 'cricket.' Just about everything applies including the contrast with 'oblong' games. Test cricket - potentially 5 days of play and no result. Perfection.
Now that cricket has become so much more athletic on defense, the one missing element is the board game played around the diamond.
Read about deceased California Angel, Donnie Moore.
Whilst a version of the “oblong game”, I wonder if futbol/soccer functions in somewhat the same way internationally. Raised as a Third Culture Kid, and enjoying not only each 2026 World Cup game I watch, but each game’s back stories, fans, and tournament hopes, it does feel that way. Curaçao scored a goal. Vozinha made seven saves. Hard not to appreciate a world’s admiration, and the stories that will be told.