’Pen Pal
The World Series is over and the Arizona Diamondbacks are the champions. Wouldn't it be special to someday have a real World Series, when the champions of baseball from different countries come together to complete for the title? Until that happens, the World Series is, and has always been, a misnomer. As usual, it has been
a season like no otherThis baseball season was a unique one in many ways. We were witnesses to the greatest offensive production by a player in the history of the game. I don't usually like to use this word to describe something or someone, but Barry Bonds was awesome. We may have to wait a long time before any other major leaguer even comes close to his production of the 2001 season.
We continued to see fantastic plays by players: Big league plays, All-Star ballot plays, and Hall of Fame plays, all describing the degree to which I like to rate a play.
We saw Ichiro, the first position player from Japan, become a respected star here in America, and continue to be an idol in Japan. He reminded us that a person his size could play with the big boys and withstand the rigors of a full Major League season, regardless of the seemingly racist comments made to the contrary when he first signed a contract.
We witnessed a terrific LDS, LCS and World Series. The pitching in postseason was the finest in recent memory.
In Hawaii, we saw the end of an era, with Les Murakami retiring, and the beginning of another, with new UH head coach Mike Trapasso. Our youth league teams did us proud by capturing national and world crowns.
Our nation was brought together after the horrible events of September 11. Sports, baseball being in season, stood still as we remembered those who perished and those who worked diligently to save or help their fellow men and women. It was inspiring to see how baseball remembered those events by the tributes paid during games and national telecasts.
On occasion, when I think about baseball, I'm reminded of the famous quote that James Earl Jones made in the movie, "Field of Dreams." He says that, "The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball.....But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game. Is a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again."
This is my favorite quote about the game: "You see, when all is on the table, when the chips are down, baseball is there and it always will be."
Like no other game, baseball has a steeped tradition, unmatched by any other sport. (Can you tell I'm biased?) It has been a sport so richly endowed with heroes, from the early days with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig to the quite recent guys like the Mick, Mickey Mantle, the Say-Hey Kid, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Ted Williams to the icons of the game today.
Regardless of the avenues in which a person may participate in the game, from a ticket-seller to a player, to an owner, to an umpire, it's all done with the love of the game in the highest sense. The game is the thing.
Since the season is over, this is my last column. There's a brief respite for about 12 weeks until the Rainbows (Warriors?) begin play. I'd like to thank my buddy, sportswriter Dave Reardon, for suggesting that I write these articles. I'd also like to thank former sports editor Cindy Luis, and current editor Paul Arnett for their kokua.
This was fun. Maybe we can do it again sometime.
Pal Eldredge is a baseball commentator for KFVE
and former varsity baseball coach at Punahou School.
His column runs Mondays during the Major League Baseball season.
Star-Bulletin sports can be reached at 529-4785 or: sports@starbulletin.com