Right, yes, most every Sayles movie will have a good deal of humor in it. Just not the same kind of comedy overall as say, Major League. ;)

And I also find myself returning to Ken Burns documentary series often.

Ohh, need to check 8 men out, out. :D

If you get a chance, look for a book about the Gashouse Gang, henric. I've not yet finished it, but I think it's a very good book so far, from what I've read of it. It mainly talks about the 1934 St. Louis Cardinals, for your information. CD out.

Will do! And I'm slightly peeved that the postal service messed up my delivery of the Field Guide book. Hope to get it in time for the weekend! Going pike hunting with my son at my parents summer cottage. Will be a great read once darkness falls and fishing becomes impossible.

Ok, so I'm watching Red Sox - Braves and Freddy Freeman miked up might make me a Braves fans to be honest. :D:D

The Red Sox first base coach is also doing a good job of converting me though. :D

Boston's stadium is unique - Google the green monster. Some players have made a great career using the wall. Lots of history with that team, The curse of the Bambino, The fan that cost them a world series. Just to name a few.

Pine Tar

Yeah, it looks kinda weird. :D the Baseball Field Guide had a nice section with diagrams of all Major League stadiums, and it kind of stands out.

Cause its 108 years old!!!!! Everything looked different then. Take Cubs stadium Wrigley Field thats 106 years old.Seeing a live game there is great as a tourist thing or something to do.

But I much rather visit new stadiums more often.

Back when Fenway was built, teams made their stadiums fit the blocks that they stood on, which would lead to a lot of strange angles and features.

Now, teams bulldoze the surrounding streets to make the stadiums fit

One thing I have learnt now is that Joe Posnanski is a really good baseball writer.

Amen to that!
His current The Baseball 100 series of articles on The Athletic is wonderful, isn't it?

Indeed. A great way to learn about the history of the sport for a newcomer like me. Both the history of the sport itself, but he also gives an interesting insight into the cultural aspects when he writes some of his more personal stories. Like the piece on Robinson. A great glimpse into the cultural aspect of the game and what it means for the American 'soul', if that makes sense?

That is cool that you were able to pick-up the Baseball Field Guide before the season starts, and begin your dive into OOTP 21, as well as reading stuff like that series of articles in The Athletic. Hope those are providing you a fun and solid resource.

I am so hyped for the Opening Day! :D And the release of 21 of course. The Athletic is awesome to be honest. Some really good writing all around, well worth the money.

Now that this group has turned you into a full blown baseball fan you can explain the sport of curling to them. Turn about is only fair play ... lol

Pine Tar

I could try, but it would take me a year or so to learn it first. :D

Actually, if I remember correctly, didn't curling, just like ice hockey, originate in Canada, everyone? At least I think it did, anyway. And basketball was created by a Canadian, along with lacrosse, as well, unless I miss my guess too much here. Baseball was derived from other bat-and-ball games such as the English rounders, too, come to think of it. CD out.

I'm thinking of getting this book as well. Anyone read it?

https://www.amazon.com/Sabermetric-R...C0T83CZYMCESQ2

You're going very deep, very fast :laugh:


Have you checked out Fangraphs yet? I must admit my preferred way of absorbing these things is by osmosis - just let them soak in via immersion in entertaining media - rather than more structured stuff like reading rule books and analysis.



My preference would be 'fun' stuff like The Only Rule Is It Has to Work: Our Wild Experiment Building a New Kind of Baseball Team


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Only-Rule-H.../dp/B016IBVN6Y