By Edwin Cooney
Of course, it’s always been known as “The World Series,” even though originally only teams from the United States played in it. Then, Canada’s 1992 Toronto Blue Jays not only played in it, they actually won it. They and their fans were so captivated by their international triumph that they repeated themselves in 1993. Ever since then, the annual “fall classic” has become more international than ever before in the makeup of its teams. By the time you receive these observations on Monday, October 30th, the 2017 series could be history.
I’ve elected to call the “annual baseball fall classic” this year the “Worldly Series” because, when you think about it, that’s exactly what it is! To begin with, the series is loaded with all kinds of worldly things such as cheers, tears, fears and, of course — beers. Next, it’s about hope and pride, expectation and disappointment, madness and money. It’s all brought to you by auto and gasoline dealers, insurance companies (hello, Geico!), banks, and, of course, breweries.
As I point out almost every year, what intrigues me the most are the little things that come up when one is talking or writing about the World Series. I find it interesting to compare the opposing series managers.
Houston Manager Andrew Jay Hinch, (A.J.) came up in 1998 as a catcher with the Oakland A’s. His lifetime statistics aren’t anything to write home about! He batted .214 and had an on base percentage at a microscopic .219. His slugging percentage was a meager .280. His seven year career was spent with the A’s, the Royals, the Tigers and, finally, the Phillies.
The Dodgers’ manager David Ray Roberts was born in Okinawa, Japan on Tuesday, May 31st, 1972. His playing career began in 1999 as an outfielder with the Cleveland Indians and ended in September 2008 as a bench player with the San Francisco Giants. The summit of his career came during the 2004 playoffs between Roberts’ Red Sox and the New York Yankees. The Sox were down 3 games to 0 in the ninth inning of the fourth game. As the Yankees were literally tasting their victory champagne, Roberts entered the game and promptly stole second base to begin a Red Sox rally that lasted three more games. The rally ended when the Red Sox defeated the Yankees thus breaking “the curse of the Bambino” which had lasted since the Sox traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees following the 1919 season. Thus, the Red Sox were finally free and went on to beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2004 World Series. Roberts’ playing stats were nearly as obscure as Hinch’s. He batted .266, with 23 home runs, 213 runs batted in, and 243 stolen bases. Like A.J. Hinch, David Roberts’ ticket to the Hall of Fame will be punched as a manager rather than as a player.
One of the irresistible phenomenons I raise each year is the prospect that an obscure player who only occasionally stands out as a diamond hero might end up being the star of the Series. For the Dodgers, my candidate would be Charlie Culberson, a rookie shortstop who wasn’t on the Dodgers’ roster until August of this year. He was only brought up to spell Corey Seager, last year’s N.L. Rookie of the Year, who was sidelined by a sore back. He has already hit a surprise home run and who knows what’s ahead! My Astros’ candidate is second-string catcher Evan Gattis who sent one out of the park in the final playoff game against the Yankees and is perfectly capable of doing the same thing to the Dodgers.
One of the most healthy aspects of watching or listening to the World Series is how much it all matters and yet how little it all matters at the same time. Neither victory nor defeat will affect our national economy, our national security, or our status as a world leader. As for your health, mental well-being, or pocketbook, that depends on how much you bet, who you bet, and perhaps how demanding for payment they might be. If either the Dodgers or the Astros are your team, the intensity of your reaction to defeat or victory could be rather intense, but my guess is you will survive the ordeal in reasonably good shape.
As for me, I don’t have a “horse” in this year’s race for Worldly Series glory, but I nearly did. After all, I’m a lifelong Yankee fan. However, I nearly rooted for the Dodgers because I much prefer the socio/political climate in California over that in Texas. Although there are a number of Dodgers for whom I have considerable affection (such as Sandy Koufax, Roy Campanella, Duke Snyder — after all, his given first name is Edwin — and my favorite Yankee of the 1980s and 90s, Don Mattingly, who recently managed the Dodgers), I just can’t bring myself to root for them. As for the Astros, their victory would result in too many smiles on too many conservative Republican faces! Still, I’m rooting for them — sort of, that is.
Yes, indeed, when you come right down to it, the annual classic is a “worldly” (rather than a spiritually significant) event. It’ll bless neither you, your family or your country, but somehow, at least for millions of people, it really does matter. It enables those faint of heart to hope. It’s a respite from politics — local, state, regional, national and, especially, international. Unlikely social, political, and spiritual bedfellows, more often than not, share the same passions for the same team. Worldly Series passion is ever contagious and compelling.
Like the Mississippi River, roll on, you “Worldly Series.” Let us feel your chills, as you feed us your thrills. Keep us wondering and waiting, reveling while celebrating the twists and turns of your story — which for one group of lucky fans will terminate in happy glory!
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
EDWIN COONEY
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