I second you picking up shadow ball again. Loved those slightly- or more- off beat stories. I think at the beginning of that series you said there was some rhyme or reason between shadow ball stories and your top 100 stories - version 2. I don’t think any of us ever figured it out.
Great Poscast this week. The one thing different about the White Sox ring is that it was designed to be worn on a regular basis for those who wanted to, not the oversized ring dominating the last 25 years of champions that almost always ends up in a safe deposit box. That view may have been more employee than player-based :)
Love the idea of Saturday morning cartoons! Although how hard was it to explain how we had to wait all week to watch a few cartoons on Saturday morning only?
And I can't believe the baseball 100 is almost over. I bet you'll be ecstatic to get your life back (or whatever life we can have in quarantine), but it will be missed. It's been great sharing with my dad. He's been having some health issues, in and out of the hospital the past few months (doing well now, and trying to avoid hospitals at all costs). But especially during some down times with him, it's been the source of hours of conversation between us. Sure - so much is known about these players, but the twists you've put on them have been incredible. And will definitely reread once the book comes out :-)
Doolittle's an inspired choice for a Poscast guest. Seems like such an fantastic teammate and human, plus what a great story. Honestly cannot picture him as a slugging first baseman
I’m a passionate fan of your writing. Waaay before subscribing. And will continue to be. But really. Sigh. A steroid cheat ahead of THE home run king? Cute rationalization by the way in the Henry Aaron article. ‘HR were a bug.’ Ol’ BBs last 200+ were as authentic as Trumps tax filings. Got to see BB play quite a few games. Seen BB now that he’s no longer playing? Now look at Aaron and Mays. Had the good fortune to meet both. Funny, somehow neither shrunk 1/3 of their playing size. BB reminds me of college buddy who played football on the starting line of natl champ team. Couldn’t recognize the guy one year after playing. My size. Drop the juice and these people become a visual carnival joke. Ol’ BB has zero legitimate claim to the home run record. Zero chance without the juice. Zero. Didn’t think intent this late in game was to spice up 100 list w some fiction. A change of pace from the Negro League player write ups so passionately (and rightfully) claimed as authentic. Judging from the earnestness, thought fiction was far from goal for the 100. Which 3 players would have made the Joe’s 100 list had these ol steroid cheats Bonds, Clemens, Rodriguez not been taking up space. Who are 101, 102, & 103?
Sounds like a fun evening. Looney Tunes are GRRRRREAT! Those Warner stores were lots of good stuff. Don’t forget to show the girls Syl & Tweety. Syl may be Blanc’s best voice. Or Yosemite Sam. Or Foghorn.
...and Henry Aaron, Mays, Mantle and many others admitted to taking amphetamines to boost performance. And Babe Ruth injected himself with testosterone from a sheep's nuts to try to gain an edge.
I don't love cheating either, but let's not pretend it's not woven throughout the history of the baseball and many of its best players, not just these three.
An idea for future baseball player profiles... the "Hall of Shooting Stars." There are so many brilliant, bright shining stars in baseball history who dominated in short bursts that we shouldn't lose. This was inspired by the Fernando Valenzuela entry... players who made an indelible mark on the game, but whose peak came and went in just a few years. Tim Lincecum's greatness comes to mind in terms of recent players. I'm sure there are guys from other eras who dominated in similar ways, but whose stories are not as familiar.
I predict that number 3 (shaking fist “it better not be Mays!”) will have a Googol comments (1 followed by 27 sets of zeroes) and at least 51 % of them will have actual spittle flying off the page)
Also, classic Bugs Bunny and classic Road Runner, along with Max Fleischer Popeye, are eternally funny because they were written for kids but also for their parents)
And Mel Blanc should make your Voice Characterization top 100; heck, he’s the Babe Ruth of that field.
1) I would love to see you bring back the Shadowball 100; those were some of the best essays I've seen because there were all so fascinatingand random;
2) I have really been surprised at how weak all of the late night hosts have been without an audience. So many of their jokes and lines just seem.... lame;
3) Love the Saturday Cartoons part! I would love to hear your family's thoughts to the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, it always seemed like there were a lot of jokes and lines that really weren't meant for 8 year olds...
Although I like the idea of the prequel, I think it loses interest at some point. Sure 101-105 might be interesting, to see who just missed out on the top 100. After that? Do we really care who number 150 is? or 200? Do I need the debate over Mudcat Grant or Rube Marquard's position relative to Frank White or Sixto Lezcano?
Oh, I am sure, and don't worry, I'd read every one of them. Also, of course 200 is in the HOF, which I guess rules out Sixto Lezcano (although certainly in the name HOF). So, I'll bite, who's No. 200? Tempt me with what this could be.
Love the idea of Cartoons at Night! And that you're going back to The Jetsons and The Flinstones.
I maintain that The Jetsons is a far more accurate depiction of everyday life in the very near future. How different is the Food-A-Rack-O-Cycle from a microwave oven?
I second you picking up shadow ball again. Loved those slightly- or more- off beat stories. I think at the beginning of that series you said there was some rhyme or reason between shadow ball stories and your top 100 stories - version 2. I don’t think any of us ever figured it out.
Joe, if doing 150 or 200 seems overwhelming, you could stop at 108. There are 108 stitches on a baseball.
Great Poscast this week. The one thing different about the White Sox ring is that it was designed to be worn on a regular basis for those who wanted to, not the oversized ring dominating the last 25 years of champions that almost always ends up in a safe deposit box. That view may have been more employee than player-based :)
Love the idea of Saturday morning cartoons! Although how hard was it to explain how we had to wait all week to watch a few cartoons on Saturday morning only?
And I can't believe the baseball 100 is almost over. I bet you'll be ecstatic to get your life back (or whatever life we can have in quarantine), but it will be missed. It's been great sharing with my dad. He's been having some health issues, in and out of the hospital the past few months (doing well now, and trying to avoid hospitals at all costs). But especially during some down times with him, it's been the source of hours of conversation between us. Sure - so much is known about these players, but the twists you've put on them have been incredible. And will definitely reread once the book comes out :-)
Doolittle's an inspired choice for a Poscast guest. Seems like such an fantastic teammate and human, plus what a great story. Honestly cannot picture him as a slugging first baseman
I’m a passionate fan of your writing. Waaay before subscribing. And will continue to be. But really. Sigh. A steroid cheat ahead of THE home run king? Cute rationalization by the way in the Henry Aaron article. ‘HR were a bug.’ Ol’ BBs last 200+ were as authentic as Trumps tax filings. Got to see BB play quite a few games. Seen BB now that he’s no longer playing? Now look at Aaron and Mays. Had the good fortune to meet both. Funny, somehow neither shrunk 1/3 of their playing size. BB reminds me of college buddy who played football on the starting line of natl champ team. Couldn’t recognize the guy one year after playing. My size. Drop the juice and these people become a visual carnival joke. Ol’ BB has zero legitimate claim to the home run record. Zero chance without the juice. Zero. Didn’t think intent this late in game was to spice up 100 list w some fiction. A change of pace from the Negro League player write ups so passionately (and rightfully) claimed as authentic. Judging from the earnestness, thought fiction was far from goal for the 100. Which 3 players would have made the Joe’s 100 list had these ol steroid cheats Bonds, Clemens, Rodriguez not been taking up space. Who are 101, 102, & 103?
Sounds like a fun evening. Looney Tunes are GRRRRREAT! Those Warner stores were lots of good stuff. Don’t forget to show the girls Syl & Tweety. Syl may be Blanc’s best voice. Or Yosemite Sam. Or Foghorn.
...and Henry Aaron, Mays, Mantle and many others admitted to taking amphetamines to boost performance. And Babe Ruth injected himself with testosterone from a sheep's nuts to try to gain an edge.
I don't love cheating either, but let's not pretend it's not woven throughout the history of the baseball and many of its best players, not just these three.
An idea for future baseball player profiles... the "Hall of Shooting Stars." There are so many brilliant, bright shining stars in baseball history who dominated in short bursts that we shouldn't lose. This was inspired by the Fernando Valenzuela entry... players who made an indelible mark on the game, but whose peak came and went in just a few years. Tim Lincecum's greatness comes to mind in terms of recent players. I'm sure there are guys from other eras who dominated in similar ways, but whose stories are not as familiar.
I want to assure you that I did actually laugh out loud at your analysis of the Hercules theme song, not least because I had a very similar reaction.
I predict that number 3 (shaking fist “it better not be Mays!”) will have a Googol comments (1 followed by 27 sets of zeroes) and at least 51 % of them will have actual spittle flying off the page)
Also, classic Bugs Bunny and classic Road Runner, along with Max Fleischer Popeye, are eternally funny because they were written for kids but also for their parents)
And Mel Blanc should make your Voice Characterization top 100; heck, he’s the Babe Ruth of that field.
A few comments:
1) I would love to see you bring back the Shadowball 100; those were some of the best essays I've seen because there were all so fascinatingand random;
2) I have really been surprised at how weak all of the late night hosts have been without an audience. So many of their jokes and lines just seem.... lame;
3) Love the Saturday Cartoons part! I would love to hear your family's thoughts to the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, it always seemed like there were a lot of jokes and lines that really weren't meant for 8 year olds...
Although I like the idea of the prequel, I think it loses interest at some point. Sure 101-105 might be interesting, to see who just missed out on the top 100. After that? Do we really care who number 150 is? or 200? Do I need the debate over Mudcat Grant or Rube Marquard's position relative to Frank White or Sixto Lezcano?
"Do we really care who number 150 is? or 200?"
Uhhhh, yeah?
"Do I need the debate over Mudcat Grant or Rube Marquard's position relative to Frank White or Sixto Lezcano?"
What you need ain't our prob, mon frere. Speak for yourSELF!
Dude, relax. It's a list.
Dude, relax. It’s a joke.
You might be right but I think you are missing just how many great players there have been in baseball history. No. 200 is in the Hall of Fame.
Oh, I am sure, and don't worry, I'd read every one of them. Also, of course 200 is in the HOF, which I guess rules out Sixto Lezcano (although certainly in the name HOF). So, I'll bite, who's No. 200? Tempt me with what this could be.
Replying to myself, I had a great idea. Top 100 based on name only.
I like this idea. How about:
Baseball Bugs: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6tj0co (my grandson loved it)
One Froggy Evening: https://vimeo.com/21117324 (a complete morality play in less than 7 minutes)
Actually I could go on for a long time with this.
Love the idea of Cartoons at Night! And that you're going back to The Jetsons and The Flinstones.
I maintain that The Jetsons is a far more accurate depiction of everyday life in the very near future. How different is the Food-A-Rack-O-Cycle from a microwave oven?