Wednesday, April 06, 2005

"Tulips, Democratic Idealism, and Baseballs"

Baseball, after the long winter drought of nothing but basketball, is back. For me it is one of the best highlights of the year. At this time of the year, along with crocuses, tulips, cherry blossoms, late night melodies from the frog swamps, and children playing outdoors, baseball returns. In its full-glory it is major league baseball, in it's unfettered and purest form, it's the little ones playing in yards and sandlots. It is America and it is glorious. My sketch denotes the three strikes about which the entire game is structured. Everyone should get more than one, or two attempts to get whatever they're attempting fashioned in the manner they want, but after that, it's someone else's turn. And turns, that ancient concept of democratic idealism, is what we have built our society upon: whether it's turns in the barber shop, or in the grocery line, at the nearest 4-way stop, or the number of years in the president's term. It's about fairness and equal opportunity. I love it.


2 comments:

  1. I watched "Bull Durham" tonight and I do agree with you about baseball. I'm not much of a baseball fan but it is America's game and I love it for that. Neat drawing too.

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  2. This is great! The commentary that goes along with the picture is just lovely, Jim. When I am sitting in TRAFFIC near Safeco field, I'll remember your words and smile. It gives me something to appreciate about baseball. :-)

    As for Janey's comment, is Bull Durham about baseball? I guess I can't get past the tub scene. ;-)

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