Beginning this week, a team of Major Leaguers will be touring Japan playing the Japanese national team in various cities around that country. And, you know what? I think that’s cool.
Because barnstorming tours, where players go from city to city playing games is neat, a nice callback to the old days, when players toured the country and the world to spread the gospel of baseball and, naturally, make some extra money.
Of course, it’s not hard to see why such practices ended years ago.
Ballplayers get paid more now, making it less appetizing for both them and their clubs. And, what’s more, these days players have other ways to keep in playing shape, with batting cages in their basements and personal trainers at the ready. Plus, unlike back in the old days, people can always watch these players on TV or online – the tales of a young Bob Feller looking forward to actually seeing Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig instead of merely hearing about them are now an anachronism.
But, man, just that romantic ideal, of a bunch of ballplayers going from city to city, country to country, playing for fans in places they normally never would play…is that just a fun idea or what?
A shame it doesn’t happen much anymore.
LINKS!
Jared Hopkins of the Chicago Tribune looks into “Jose Abreu’s mysterious journey”.
David Eckstein’s new career is helping his actress wife, Ashley Eckstein, run a successful science-fiction clothing business. Yes, you read that right.
In Korea, baseball is known as “yagu”. How did it get that name? An article was written detailing it.
The end of Game 7 of the 2014 World Series…in RBI Baseball.
SELF PROMOTION OF THE WEEK: I looked at what Hall of Fame players made the best managers (http://baseballcontinuum.com/2014/11/04/the-greatest-hof-player-managing-career/).
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In honor of “Too Many Cooks”, I present the greatest cooks in baseball history: Aaron Cook, Ryan Cook, Dennis Cook, Cliff Cook, Mike Cook, Paul Cook, Doc Cook, Ron Cook…
Hmm…this joke was better in my head.
Okay, see you next week, everyone, and don’t forget to check out the Baseball Continuum for more stuff!
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