Baseball season should be starting now, but it isn’t, thanks to the Great Quarantine.
Remember Anthony Young? In 1992-93, he lost 27 consecutive decisions for the New York Mets, including a two-hit masterpiece, 1-0. When he finally won a 5-4 game in 1993, the Mets’ manager, Dallas Green, uncorked a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
Anthony died in 2017: inoperable brain tumor.
For a little while there, the whole country’s eyes were on him. Anthony wasn’t a bad pitcher; far from it; but the Mets of his era were a very bad team. He just went out to the mound again and again, and lost again and again.
He endured his trial with grace, didn’t complain, didn’t demand to be traded, didn’t blame the losses on his teammates. Just went on and on until, finally, he won.
For which he deserves to be remembered. I don’t pay much attention to sports anymore; but the rich history of baseball is a continual delight to me.
P.S.–Poor Anthony! The first time I tried to publish this post, it simply disappeared!
One has to wonder what it must be like to find oneself playing with little hope of winning. He could have been a great pitcher, it i. The co text of that team, his abilities would go unappreciated.
I once played on a softball team that went 1-17 on the season. We had almost no hope of winning. I now realize I should’ve done something else with my time.
Such as take bets from anyone willing to bet in favor of your former team? 🙂
Great story. I remember when the Mets first entered the National League in 1962 and for years would finish in the cellar, But what a celebration when they won the World Series in 1969.
What is it about baseball? I love reading the sport’s history as well. I’ve been to baseball games in years past (Phillie’s) and it’s rather boring (I brought knitting along) but the stories of the players, past and present, seem to interest me.
It’s Americana, in a way that no other sport will ever be. It’s been pretty much ruined; I don’t watch it anymore. But I treasure baseball of the past. My cutoff date is the last players’ strike and the big fat phony home run contest.
It really is a wonderful game. Think about how much fun you can have with an empty lot, a ball, a bat and some gloves. Ii’s simple, down to earth, and accessible to almost anyone.
I miss playing it. I finally learn how to throw a curve ball, and there’s no one to throw it to.
You can stay in practice by writing Violet Crespucular pieces. 🙂