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George F. Will Is The Umpire On Politics And Baseball
I sat down Washington Post columnist and author, George F. Will in Austin, Texas last month to chat about the current administration and America’s favorite pastime—baseball. They discuss politics in the age of polarization and the future of America.
We also discuss baseball as America’s favorite pastime, and George Will argues it is the sport of America’s future as parents stop letting their children play football because of the dangers of lifelong head and body injuries.
Recorded on March 29, 2018.
Published in General
Pretty sure Will said things were better under Trump than they would have been under Hillary.
I understand what you are saying here. But I think that it needn’t be a struggle. There is a tendency among people – probably going back decades, or even centuries – to pick a side and defend that side no matter what. I say, “A pox on all your houses”! Of course much of the Media are as abusive to Trump as he is to them. Of course they (many of what we call the “Mainstream” ones) are slanted, and highlight stories to bring up the points they want to. They hated Reagan. And you can’t more genial than The Gipper!
I think Jonah Goldberg handles this as well as anyone: Just tell the truth. Be an umpire. Whenever Trump put out a good policy say so. Just recognize that he is the President, and we have to put with him. But he is not a good man. Similarly, there are not that many really good people in the Media. But we need them to bring the news to use. Just don’t choose sides. It isn’t worth it.
This is what Will is saying. I disagree with it to an an extent. But it is worth thinking about. Either we believe in the Constitution or we don’t. There are enough checks and balances that nobody can really destroy the system. Even Obama couldn’t do it. Trump reversed a lot of his policies. The point is can he make it permanent? And that what makes Trump Skeptics like me fearful: Trump is alienating so many people that his worthwhile policies may be reversed themselves in a few years.
Jamie’s right – again! :-)
It happens once or twice a decade.
I’m disturbed that no one took issue with Will’s most troubling pronouncement; that paying bullpens more than starters is somehow a more evolved position for general managers to take.
Just consider what it takes to be an MLB closer; you sit up, you throw between nine and twelve pitches, typically, and you sit down again. If you can muster enough velocity, teams really don’t expect you to develop much motion.
In contrast, a starter is expected to throw 100 times, and is expected to have more than just a fastball in his arsenal.
With roster sizes capped, demand for starters and relief should be roughly equal. Which one can the world supply more of, guys that can face big league lineups for a good six innings, or guys that can face them for one inning?
Then what’s your beef?
Local, grass fed, purchased outside the USDA’s prying eyes on a wintry night from some people I know. What’s your beef?
Wasn’t he lamenting the notion? That the focus is on the pitching, and the pitcher? And thus the game is less interesting? No action on the bases, etc.?