HenryR's Open Salon Blog

"Tinker to Evers to Chance"

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 05:10:15 -0400

The post season this year is one of surprises for us all. I think most assumed that it would be the Yankees vs. the Phillies again, almost taking it for a “gimme.” And when the Yankees came back from 5 runs down to score 5 in the eighth to beat the Rangers 6-5 in the first game of the American League Championship Series it was all over in everyone’s mind. Everyone but the Rangers, that is. We all forgot that most insightful of baseball maxims spoken by Yogi Berra, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” And so it wasn’t as first the Yankees then the Phils went down and the Giants who haven’t won a World Series since moving to San Francisco in 1958 and the Rangers who have never been there at all in 50 years of their existence are the unexpected underdogs who will play for all the marbles beginning Wednesday.

I really don’t like the late dates for the World Series that we have now. Baseball is not a November sport. Reggie Jackson wasn’t Mr. November. He was Mr. October. But the elimination of double headers from the regular season play, the additional 8 games added on to the original 154 game season caused by the expansion from 8 team leagues to 10 and now even more teams per league, plus the extra rounds of playoffs to include Wild Card teams who couldn’t even win their division during the regular season plus expansion of the League Championship Series from the best of 5 to the best of 7 just like in the World Series prolongs the season now until we have a Summer game being played out in Autumn weather that is sometimes Winter-like, and we have the boys of Summer playing for the Championship at a time when people’s minds are turning to other more seasonal sports. All for the greed of the owners.

So here we are in a brief hiatus before the World Series even begins, late October, and I thought that a little reminiscing might be in order to help keep our minds tuned to the grand old game and ready once it begins to watch in anticipation to see who ends their long Championship draught, the Giants or the Rangers.

I love the history of baseball with its lore and its legends. There could be books compiled of all the great baseball quotes down through the years, and probably have been. It seems that no sport inspires in such prolific numbers great quotes to be repeated and treasured as baseball does. Yogi Berra was one of the best sources, coming up with such gems as “When you come to the fork in the road take it.” Or “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.” And of course “It’s déjà vu all over again.” Then there is this ultimate Yogi-ism: “Good pitching always stops good hitting and vice versa.”

Baseball is more than a sport. It’s a past time, a life, a religion, a philosophy. It has been noted over and over again for all of these elements bringing their passion to the game. Who can forget the words of Annie Savoy in that all-time greatest baseball movie ever, Bull Durham? “I believe in the church of baseball.” Baseball columnist Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post likewise believes in the church of baseball, saying “Baseball is religion without the mischief.” And so it is.

And of course the great Satchel Paige, one of the all time great baseball philosophers and source of numerous quotes and lore gave us such treasures as “Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you.” Paige was an ageless wonder, pitching his last Major League game in his 60’s. About age, Satchel said “Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter.” And “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?” One of his wisest gems of insight into life might be “Ain't no man can avoid being born average, but there ain't no man got to be common.”

Then there are the great moments of baseball history that perhaps have little or no effect on a season or even a game, but stick with us forever simply because they are so unique, wondrous and sometimes hilarious causing them to stick forever in our minds. Like the great Yankee pitcher Lefty Gomez serving up a home run ball hit straight away to dead center field and obviously destined for the deep seats frantically trying to wave the ball toward the left field foul line while shouting “Go foul! Go foul!”

Or Herman “Germany” Schaeffer, infielder for the Cubs, Tigers, Senators and Indians in the early days of Major League history who played the game back when money wasn’t the object but just being allowed to play was the games best reward. Schaeffer, though a light hitter, was fleet of foot and a good base runner, stealing 40 bases one season. He was also known for his antics both on the ball field and off. We all know of the famous legend of Babe Ruth pointing his bat toward the bleachers where he intended to hit the ball and then doing so. But how many know of the instance of light hitting Germany Schaeffer pulling much the same stunt but with infinitely more flair back during the dead ball era?

As reported by Davy Jones in “The Glory of Their Times” Schaeffer was called on to pinch hit for the Tigers with two out in the 9th, one runner on and the Tigers down a run. Schaeffer took the occaision to announce himself to the crowd thusly: "Ladies and gentlemen, you are now looking at Herman Schaefer, better known as 'Herman the Great', acknowledged by one and all to be the greatest pinch-hitter in the world. I am now going to hit the ball into the left field bleachers. Thank you." With Chicago White Sox pitcher Doc White serving up on the mound he then proceeded to do just that to win the ball game, then announced to the crowd "Ladies and Gentlemen, this concludes this afternoon's performance. I thank you for your kind attention.” According to Jones, that took place on June 24^th, 1906. If the story is true, that was one of only 2 homeruns Schaeffer hit all season. And in fact, he only hit 9 throughout his entire 15 seasons in the big leagues. Sometimes it seems that there are forces involved beyond the abilities of mere mortals to fill in the legends and lore with feats that boggle the mind for their sheer audacity and unlikeliness of ever happening.

Germany Schaeffer was also responsible for one rule change that still stands today because of one of his antics. But there was more to the event than just an antic. He actually had a scheme in mind to rattle the opposition into allowing teammate Tom Milan to score from third. Schaeffer was occupying first and on one pitch took off for second hoping to draw a throw allowing Milan to steal home in a double steal. The catcher held onto the ball however, and so on the next pitch Schaeffer astounded everyone by again taking off but this time in the opposite direction, back toward first! White Sox manager Hugh Duffy came out to argue the play but there was no rule against it during the course of which argument, time not having been called, Schaeffer again broke for second, but this time was caught in a rundown during which Milan finally took off for home but was thrown out. Schaeffer then tried to argue that the Sox had too many men on the field while the game was in play, manager Duffy making 10, but his argument was unsuccessful. But that little escapade led to a rule change and forevermore once a base runner has touched a succeeding base it is an automatic out if he then returns to the previous base.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Germany_Schaefer

I love the game of baseball, and for far more than just the game itself. I love its lore, its legends and history. I love its sayings and the great body of words written in its praise and reporting. I love it for the poetry of the game and for the poetry it inspires, perhaps the greatest of all being that of Franklin Pierce Adams in sad lament at seeing his beloved Giants cut down on the base paths in twos by the great double play combo of Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers and Frank Chance of the Chicago Cubs in his immortal poem “Baseball’s Sad Lexicon,” also known as “Tinker to Evers to Chance.” A gonfalon, by the way, was a pennant as in the pennants won by the League champions.

These are the saddest of possible words:

"Tinker to Evers to Chance."

Trio of bear cubs, and fleeter than birds,

Tinker and Evers and Chance.

Ruthlessly pricking our gonfalon bubble,

Making a Giant hit into a double –

Words that are heavy with nothing but trouble:

"Tinker to Evers to Chance."

Much more could be written in praise of baseball, its players, its legends, its lore, philosophy and religion. But I’ll just close with two more great quotes. This first one is one that is known to no one outside the pages of the website of my old helicopter unit, the 162^nd Assault Helicopter Company. From my old gunner buddy Ron “Too Tall” Erickson, this one may be the greatest unknown baseball quote of all time. “There’s more philosophy in baseball than in a bucket full of old dead Greeks.“

And finally, “I’m ok being the vet. But I’m really just a kid.” Barry Zito, Giants pitcher.

And I feel just like that too.

Damned if you do, Damned if you don't.

Sun, 17 Oct 2010 06:10:38 -0400

A very revealing poll shows that a large segment of 2008 Obama supporters are either defecting to the Republicans or not planning on voting at all, come November. Meanwhile, an almost equal percentage of McCain voters are likewise either switching or not planning on voting.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101017/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_ap_poll_obama_voters

If the two main parties don't get it, then they all deserve to be ousted, the parties abandoned and left on the dung heap of American History. Kevin Gosztola had an excellent article titled "Gov. Race in CA: So Much for Open, Free and Fair Elections" the other day on the freeze-out of third party candidates in a debate between gubernatorial candidates in California that is well worth reading and thinking on.

http://open.salon.com/blog/kevin_gosztola/2010/10/15/gov_race_in_ca_so_much_for_open_free_and_fair_elections#comment_2002430

In some ways, and I believe this to be one, I believe the Parliamentary system is superior to our own. Third parties can be heard in that venue, and often times are power brokers to form governments enabling them to get their interests looked after. It's just the thought of the possible outcomes of a Constitutional Convention virtually necessary to bring it about that terrifies me. I don't believe simple Constitutional Amendments would ever stand a chance to implement such a change.

If this is El Presidente in a friendly game of futbol....

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 07:10:13 -0400

The just-passed rescue of the 33 miners from the Chilean mine has also put Bolivian President Evo Morales in the news though only secondarily, as one of the rescued men was fellow Bolivian Carlos Mamani. Morales had at first intended to be there at the site to welcome him when he was brought up from the depths, but apparently other duties kept him from making it for the actual rescue, though he did visit him the next day in the hospital.

This sudden brief mention he was getting in the US news had me doing some googling to learn a bit more about him during the course of which I came upon a rather startling recent story and video. It seems that El Presidente is no man to cross on a soccer field... and presumably that would hint of the same in the political arena as well, at least not without covering your back (and other parts) and expecting repercussions. We hear much about Hugo Chavez here but little about his fellow left wing South American national leader President Morales, so if you are like me you know little if anything about him. Here is a chance to pick up some quick insight into the man's inner workings.

During a game in which the 50 year old President was playing as captain against another side captained by mayor of La Paz Luis Revilla Herrero, he was caught on camera kneeing an opponent in the groin (aka gonads, etc.) after being apparently fouled seconds earlier. The mayer later had to prevent National Police from arresting his team member who had the temerity to foul or at least play physically as soccer players do the world over against El Presidente.

For the Mail Online story and video, click here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1317892/Bolivian-President-Evo-Morales-knees-opponent-groin-friendly-football-match.html

The first trapped Chilean Miners brought up today!

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 18:10:26 -0400

Operations are underway in Chile to begin bringing the first of 33 miners trapped since August 5th more than two thousand feet underground to the surface this evening. The 33 men were trapped while gathered in a chamber far beneath the surface eating lunch when a portion of the mine collapsed. The timing of the collapse was very fortuitous. Had they not all been gathered there some would undoubtedly have been killed of badly injured.

The President of Chile, Sebastian Pinera, plans to be on hand for the rescue as well as the President of Bolivia, Evo Morales. One of the men trapped in the copper and gold mine is Bolivian Carlos Mamani. President Morales said that a new job is waiting for Mamani.

The dramatic and terrifying events have had the world's attention for 67 days now. You can watch the proceeding live here:

*UPDATE*

Chile cantador (singer) Victor Jara performing Pablo Neruda's Poema 15, a beautiful expression that seems remarkably appropriate right now. Both Jara and Neruda were Communists, and in fact Jara was arrested after the coup led by Pinochet overthrowing Allende, imprisoned, brutally tortured and shot to death, but at this moment politics are unimportant and this song is perfect for the moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIhHTGYkkHU

Here is the full text of the poem sung by Jara, with the last verse translated into English. That is the verse that makes this so perfect for the occaision.

Poema 15

Me gustas cuando callas porque estás como ausente,
y me oyes desde lejos, y mi voz no te toca.
Parece que los ojos se te hubieran volado
y parece que un beso te cerrara la boca.

Como todas las cosas están llenas de mi alma
emerges de las cosas, llena del alma mía.
Mariposa de sueño, te pareces a mi alma,
y te pareces a la palabra melancolía;

Me gustas cuando callas y estás como distante.
Y estás como quejándote, mariposa en arrullo.
Y me oyes desde lejos, y mi voz no te alcanza:
déjame que me calle con el silencio tuyo.

Déjame que te hable también con tu silencio
claro como una lámpara, simple como un anillo.
Eres como la noche, callada y constelada.
Tu silencio es de estrella, tan lejano y sencillo.

Me gustas cuando callas porque estás como ausente.
Distante y dolorosa como si hubieras muerto.
Una palabra entonces, una sonrisa bastan.
Y estoy alegre, alegre de que no sea cierto.

Pablo Neruda

And the last verse, translated by author Terence Clarke:

It pleases me when you grow silent, as though you were absent.
Distant and dolorous as though you were dead.
One word then, one smile is enough.
And I am happy, happy that that is not so.

You can access the full translated poem here:

http://www.redroom.com/blog/terence-clarke/pablo-nerudas-twenty-poems-love-and-one-desperate-song-poem-15-a-translation

Terence Clarke is a San Francisco author whose latest book is titled A Kiss For Señor Guevara. You can access his blog and learn about his other works here:

http://www.redroom.com/author/terence-clarke/

I tried to contact him through his blog there by clicking on "Contact this author" in order to obtain permission to paste his translation of this poem here, as it is the best I've found, but it informed me that I don't have authorization to access the page enabling me to do so. So I decided to just put the last verse from his translation here which is the one that makes the poem so appropriatet for the occaision, expecially the last lines.

*FINAL UPDATE*

All 33 miners have been brought up as well as the last of the three rescue workers who had descended to tend to the men and prepare them for the ascent. The rescue workers have sounded their last "Chi! Chi Chi! Le! Le! Le!" cheer for their country and safety, and President Sebastian Piñera has spoken for the last time there at the shaft site. And one of the most remarkable rescue operations in history has come to an end. It's done.

11:46 PM EDT, 10/13/2010

Celestial Navigations

Thu, 7 Oct 2010 21:10:29 -0400

A concert I wish we all could experience.

Geoffrey Lewis performs "The Dwarf."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbQzyLVVO-8&feature=related