Softball: Athletic Wonder in Proper Perspective
Dear People,
Before the oozing of jejune inertia rears its ugly head, it is time to once again seize our own athletic destinies. I realize that these are bewildering times, what with the constant media drumbeat of McGwire and Sosa and 61 this and 62 that and on and on. Yet few in the press have seemed to notice that on a per game basis, our own community has had several players whose prowess would put them on a pace of 80-85 home-runs per season. I will not name names; As an amateur softball playing people, we are simply too humble for that. But I must add that in a world where the price of heroism is now measured in multibillion dollar salaries, I believe that the people of the East Bay can take pride in knowing that our own greats offer up their athletic majesty for the simple joy of the game itself, and that apparently, is something that Sports Illustrated and Investor's Business Daily are incapable of appreciating. So be it.
In any case, there will be another game next SUNDAY, September 13th, at 11am at Codornecices Field, if I get enough commits by this Friday noon. I realize that this new time is both unexpected and frightening to those who crave stability, yet I believe you have it within you to make the necessary transition. In addition, as you undoubtedly know, Sunday will be the 105th anniversary of Cleveland pitcher Hugh "One Arm" Daily's legendary 1-0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies. Oh sure, big'n'beefy McGwire is going for #62, but I wonder how many he would have hit if he had to have batted with just one arm. You know, I don't like to lecture, but I think its fair to say that true stature is cheapened by the public's crass indifference to the inherited physical advantages of the heroes they choose. I think you see my point. Make that commit; Do it for Hugh "One Arm" Daily, who may have been limb-deficient, but whose spirit alone would have left McGwire and Sosa too ashamed to even swing....Raymond