Comments on: Scenes from Spring Training: The Chase

By: BC

BC — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 15:48:15 +0000

“Naphta loathed the bourgeois state and its love of security. He found occasion to express this loathing one autumn afternoon when, as they were walking along the main street, it suddenly began to rain and, as if on command, there was an umbrella over every head. That was a symbol of cowardice and vulgar effeminacy, the end product of civilization. An incident like the sinking of the Titanic was atavistic, true, but its effect was most refreshing, it was the handwriting on the wall. Afterward, of course, came the hue and cry for more security in shipping. How pitiful, but such weak-willed humanitarianism squared very nicely with the wolfish cruelty and villainy of slaughter on the economic battlefield known as the bourgeois state. War, war ! He was all for it – the universal lust or war seemed quite honorable in comparison.”
— Thomas Mann (The Magic Mountain)
(Sorry, I felt compelled to reply)

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:32:10 +0000

Here’s to hoping you never become Ahab and the game become the whale. It happens.

By: Old Gator

Old Gator — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:24:40 +0000

Wait a minute. That's not Melville. That's from The Wrath of Khan!

By: oldnumero7

oldnumero7 — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:11:50 +0000

“This year I’m really going to work the count, see some pitches. Also, I feel I’m in the best shape of my life.”

By: gvots

gvots — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:09:33 +0000

If you happen upon him, get him to talk of “plate discipline” and the such. I haven’t seen that annual article yet.

By: Old Gator

Old Gator — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:09:09 +0000

“William Blake? William Blake!?!”

By: PanchoHerreraFanClub

PanchoHerreraFanClub — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:34:26 +0000

I can see reading Melville if you had to watch the Cubs, but the Royals? Shakespeare might be more fitting to them. A quote from the Scottish play is probably the best,

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

After all the Royals are loaded with poor players.

By: Lukehart80

Lukehart80 — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:57:35 +0000

Well played, sir.

By: Lukehart80

Lukehart80 — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:57:15 +0000

Well player, sir.