Post World Series Petty Party: Baseball Fans are Invited

I'm hosting a party. Giants and Blue Jays fans are welcome. Phillies fans? please join us. What's the occasion? Is there are theme? At what time will it end? And what should I wear?! If you're a Dodger fan you're not invited. Here's why.

When Blue Jay's catcher, Alejandro Kirk. hit into a double play for the final two outs of the 2025 World Series, I got up in disgust and walked out of my parents' family room. The Dodgers came from behind to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings. In that moment I was debating who I hate more: Dodgers or USC Trojans. Regardless, my disdain doesn't change the outcome. The text messages started pouring in. Why? I was hosting a petty party. 

In one conversation I stated "I'm so mad at the Blue Jays right now. They couldn't get it done, and now we live with the outcome." My friend responded "I can't." No further words were necessary. 

To another I said "Thank God I didn't bet on the Jays, I would be losing my mind right now." to which my friend said "it's impossible to bet against the Dodgers. They're animals." I asked him to leave the party. 

I found a way to swallow my bitterness and I congratulated my friend Scott, the biggest Dodger fan I know—and yes, we are real friends. Ever gracious, he did not gloat. He did however quote Fox Sports announcer, Alex Rodriguez who said, "you can make the argument that Toronto played better in every way. But the Dodgers found a way to win." This prompted me to respond. "I never believe what A-Rod has to say." At this point, my petty party was raging.

Before Game 7, the theme was "Beat LA" And a t-shirt with that logo was fitting attire. Now, it's nothing with Dodger Blue. We won't play Randy Newman's "I Love L.A." either. The petty party will carry into next season, as the Giants battle it out for the NL West. And as petty as this petty party sounds (and is) there's one problem with it: for baseball and sports fans, this October classic featured great baseball. And for that, I must thank not only the Toronto Blue Jays but yes. the Los Angeles Dodgers (there, I said it).

I realized this early in the series. On Monday, October 27, I went to bed after 13 innings of baseball. I woke up exhausted from too little sleep. After my alarm went off, I rolled over and hit refresh on Safari. The score changed from 5‑5, Blue Jays vs. Dodgers, to 5‑6: Dodgers win. I zoomed in to see the box score. Eighteen innings?! I have no dog in this fight, and yet that was the first thing I wanted to know.

I have not become a Canadian baseball fan; I do root against the most things LA. I can't say what Governor Newsom said in his friendly bet with the Premiere of Ontario. Ever. So what gives? Why watch a game that I have little to no investment in? Fortunately local sports talk radio host, Brian Murphy gave me an answer. He said "we hate the Dodgers here on KNBR, but we love great baseball." That's what we saw. Yahoo Sports offered this summary:

The Dodgers outlasted the Blue Jays, 6-5, in an 18-inning marathon that was tied for the longest game in World Series history (by innings). When the dust finally settled, 609 pitches had been thrown by 19 different pitchers, 37 runners had been left on base, 25 position players had been used, and nearly seven hours had passed (6:39).

The hero: Reigning World Series MVP Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off solo blast to make him the first player in history with multiple World Series walk-off home runs. And he did it in back-to-back years.

Multiple friends texted me about what we were all witnessing during that game (and others). Even my students took notice. One senior stopped by my office to ask if I’d watched the game; another admitted he hadn’t done his homework because he couldn’t stop watching. I took an informal poll in class: “Raise your hand if you watched last night’s game.” Half the class did. Then I asked, “Who stayed up until the end?” I wasn’t prepared to see a critical mass of hands in the air. 

From 2010 to 2015, it was very easy to speak baseball in Sports and Spirituality class. In recent years, that conversation hasn't gotten much traction. However, last nights Sports Equinox contest weighed in and had me believing what I read is true. David Long of Yahoo Sports writes

Baseball is booming: MLB's total attendance this season (71.4 million fans) increased for the third consecutive year, which hadn't happened since 2005-07. That growing popularity could be seen over the airwaves and other digital channels, too. 

Viewership: Postseason games drew an average of 4.33 million viewers through the Division Series, a 30% increase over last year and the highest in 15 years. Similar high-water marks were seen during the regular season, where TBS (highest viewership since 2011), ESPN (2013) and Fox (2022) all drew big numbers, too.

Streaming: A record 19.39 billion minutes were watched on MLB.TV, which saw seven of its 10 most-watched games ever take place this year.

Digital: MLB's social media pages garnered a record 17.8 billion views this year and the MLB app had its most-trafficked season ever.

Concerned that betting is a primary factor for increased interest, he speaks to what's driving this: 

A variety of factors are at play, but the discussion has to begin with the implementation of the pitch clock, which may go down as one of the best decisions in MLB history.

Games, which used to routinely last well over three hours, averaged just 2:38 this season — the third year in a row under 2:40 since the pitch clock arrived in 2023. Just three 9-inning games this season lasted longer than 3:30. In 2021, there were 391 such games.

The impact of this cannot be overstated. Fans at home can watch games without it taking over their entire evening, and fans going to the ballpark can reasonably expect to be home before 10pm most nights — a pipe dream in the not-so distant past.

Other new rules like larger bases, limiting pickoffs and banning the shift have also led to more steals, more balls in play and a generally more exciting game. It's not rocket science: A better product with a smaller time commitment has yielded a surge in popularity.

Then there's the star power: The sport's two best players — one of whom is an international superstar — playing in the league's two biggest markets is a boon of epic proportions. And Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani aren't just MLB's current best players; they've spent the last few years carving out their places as all-time greats.

The big picture: Baseball's boom seems to be having a trickle-down effect, with youth participation up to a record 8.49 million. Plus, the last three College World Series were the most-watched since 2011.

It may sound odd, but I read this information and I felt joy. I love baseball and I want the game to grow. I love the feeling of watching a great game and sharing that excitement with others. To me, rivalry is revelry. I enjoy the struggle and the strife, facing the enemy and rooting against him. I love it when my team succeeds—it's as if all of San Francisco lights up. Each season spawns a new narrative—never easy, never predictable, exciting and heartbreaking. Some end in a parade others in a pity party.

In the end, my petty party isn’t really about the Dodgers—it’s about devotion. To care this much is to risk disappointment; it’s also to be fully alive in the company of others who care too. That’s the strange grace of fandom. The rivalry fuels our passion, but the game itself restores our faith—in competition, in community, in the beauty of the long season. Baseball gives us something to root for, to rally against, and to remember. And if that means I’m still mad at the Dodgers come spring training, so be it. Hope—and maybe even humility—will show up again on Opening Day. And if I'm at Oracle for that game, I'll be in my Beat L.A. t-shirt. Go Giants!

Photo Credits
Beat LA
Hug
Roberts
Freeman
Max

Shohei Ohtani and the Art of Not Ruining Baseball

After the Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the 2025 National League Championship Series (NLCS), Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts addressed the crowd and media. He remarked:

Before this season started, they said the Dodgers are ruining baseball. Let’s get four more wins and really ruin baseball!

Roberts’ comment wasn’t just trash talk after a win. It was a strategic public statement: He acknowledged critics blaming the Dodgers for “ruining baseball" and this Giants fan could not agree more. They have the second highest payroll in MLB. They have won the NL West eleven of the last twelve years. I used to believe what the orange and black meme reported: the West can't be bought, it must be won. I guess we were wrong, but so are the critics. How? Why? 

While I believe there are strong argument for spending, competitive fairness, and what teams who flex a strong financial muscle do to the equation there's an individual—a highly paid, strongly coveted one—who is doing anything but ruining the game. He's illuminating it and it's magic. His name is Shohei Ohtani.

For those of you who have only heard his name until now, as I like to say—no, he's not Irish. Ohtani, Shohei as he is known when he goes to bat in Japan (surname is always first) was born on July 5, 1994 in Mizusawa (now part of Ōshū), a city in Iwate Prefecture, located in the Tōhoku region of northern Japan. If I were to offer a comparison to a city in the U.S., Bangor, Maine might suffice.

He is a hitting slugger and a slugging hitter. He bats left and throws right—quite often in the same game. His swing is violent but elegant and at times he makes hitting the curve look laughably easy. Although the term "unicorn" is often overused, in this instance it's fitting. He's not a myth, he's a man and will be a legend. He's worth watching in the 2025 World Series, despite the fact he wears Dodger Blue. 

I've written about him before (ISO Creativity...Thank you Shohei Ohtani and The Virtues of Video Games by way of Shohei Ohtani), but he's worth highlighting here and now because this postseason offers a chance to see history and beauty, wonder and awe in action. It's not too late.  

For those who are unaware, on Friday, October 17, 2025, Ohtani pitched six-plus scoreless innings and struck out 10. He also had the 13th three-homer game in postseason history — the first, it goes without saying, that included walking off the pitcher’s mound to a standing ovation. Chelsea James of the Washington Post writes, 

Certainly, by the time he hit his third homer in the seventh inning and sent many of his teammates’ heads into their hands in disbelief, everyone in the ballpark knew they were watching the greatest game any player had ever played.

This is Beethoven at a piano. This is Shakespeare with a quill. This is Michael Jordan in the Finals. This is Tiger Woods in Sunday red.

Yes, nights such as Friday’s are Ohtani’s job. But perhaps more than for any other player in recent years, it is clear they are also his calling. Ohtani is what happens when someone awarded a unique dose of genius follows its lead and ends up where they both belong. He is that rare baseball talent so gifted that no slump ever feels more than a few swings away from ending. His confidence is so durable, it is as if he believes success is fated by now.

Unlike Bob Dylan, Ohtani was not "A Complete Unknown." As featured in the "60 Minutes" interview from 2017, "Shotime" was widely considered a once-in-a-generation talent." During the 13-minute feature, Jon Wertheim reveals that at the age of 18, Ohtani held a press conference to announce his Major League intentions. He went so far as to tell Japanese teams not to draft him. The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters drafted him anyway (first round, 2012), and successfully convinced him to stay in Japan by promising he could be both a pitcher and a hitter. This decision made headlines across Japan as no other professional team made that offer. To say in "a star was born" is short-sighted. Rather, a star shone in the East before it went West.

What might be the most interesting part of this profile is the way that Shohei was coached as a Fighter. The manager Hideki Kuriyama was short on praise. Shohei said "last year when we won the championship, that was the first time he gave me a compliment. He said, 'that was great pitching'." Incredulous, Wertheim repeats, "Never complimented you before that?" Ohtani pauses, shakes his head and retorts, "not once. He always says, you've got to get better." While this style of managing may not ruin baseball or a baseball player—it is certainly interesting and worth further consideration. It worked.

Kuriyama explained his rationale. He said "I truly believed he's a lot better than where he's at right now." Dodger fans—heck any baseball can thank him. Kuriyama was right.

Under no certain terms, would I ever purchase or wear a Dodger jersey. However, if I were to consider that plight, I wouldn't think long or hard. I would purchase #17 in honor of Shoehei Ohtani. He has not ruined baseball, he's only made it more interesting, exciting, and beautiful.  

Photo Credits
Pitching
Hitting
Microphone

Thank you, Dodgers: A Personal Ethic of Sports Gambling

Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been three months since my last confession. This is what I have done wrong: I bet on the Los Angeles Dodgers.

While I would not seek out the Sacrament of Reconciliation for gambling on the World Series Champions, I did send this text to a friend of mine—a Jesuit priest and ardent Dodger fan. He was delighted to read that I believed in his team enough to put my money behind them. I did. I won.

When I heard the odds, the Dodgers -140, I quickly placed a straight bet on LA to win the series. Those pesky Dodgers have one stacked line-up and the third highest payroll in MLB. I knew enough about the team and the Yankees to consider this to be a smart bet.* However, as each game unfolded, my smart bet felt like a dirty one. Not because it's illegal or illicit, but because in betting for LA to win, I found myself cheering for them—and for me, that's a problem. Fortunately, I learned a lesson that I would like to share with all sports fans and especially the parents of young sports fans: I believe an ethic of (sports) gambling is important.

Maybe you think that's funny or unrealistic. One friend said to me "You have this because you are a Religion teacher and teach ethics. but I think it's worth consideration. Sports betting is incredibly accessible (thank you internet) and unstigmatized. I liken it to a controlled substance. There is an age requirement for legal gambling (21) and it can be entertaining, engaging and fun. It is also risky and for those with addictive tendencies, it can be problematic. I do believe that those who choose to gamble ought to consider how they plan to participate. What can one afford? What are the limits? What if you push the limits? We know the benefits, but what are the consequences. Those are the formal rules, but this Dodger bet invited me to consider others.

I can and will never bet against my own team. I hold this as a categorical imperative. I am not willing to put my personal loyalty aside for the purpose of financial gain. How I support my team holds no bearing on the final outcome and yet I am too emotionally tied to my team's success. I hate losing, period. To lose the game and win money is cognitive dissonance. When a friend who self-identifies as a Yankee fan told me he bet on the Dodgers as well, I found myself questioning his devotion to the Bronx Bombers. I asked, "Are you a big Yankees fan?" What is your thought on this? Consider the question in the creation of your own ethic.

By a similar standard, I don't bet ON my favorite teams: the Fighting Irish, 49ers, Giants or Warriors. I cannot say I would never do it. I won't commit to not doing it, but as a personal ethic, for me, it's better that I don't. I care too much. I get enough enjoyment out of my own teams' play that I believe gambling will compromise. Furthermore, making what a "smart bet" is clouded by personal bias; it's hard to be objective about one's team. And yet, I know no team better than my own. By holding an ethic to not betting on my own team, I take these questions and quandaries out of the question. 

Where it gets interesting is what the 2024 World Series left me. I know this was a dream scenario for MLB. I admit, the billing was much more interesting that the Rangers vs. Diamondbacks. I did not like either team and the truth of the matter is that gambling provides an emotional, exciting and direct way to engage. This is part of my ethic. 

I figured my derision for both teams opened a door of opportunity. I placed a reasonable bet—one I could afford to lose and would be happy to win and waited to see what would happen. 

Maybe it was the excitement of the series—and it was dynamic and thrilling. The first game in LA went into extra innings and easily could have gone to either team. Freddie Freeman's walk off home run was why we love October baseball. The talent of both squads, questionable choices of Aaron Boone, fan interference and its impact on the game as well as the importance of defense made for viewing numbers unlike those in years past. I'd like to think I kept an eye on the games and my ear close to the ground because I'm a baseball fan, but I know it's because I had money involved. I didn't tell most people I had a bet on the series because it prompted me to cheer for the Dodgers. Again: cognitive dissonance. I found myself singing the praises of the players I actively root against: Max Muncy, Gavin Lux, Blake Treinen? Ugh! Gross. If they had lost, one could argue that would fuel my fire for this rivalry. Instead, we were now close bedfellows. 

The 2024 World Series taught me that an ideal situation....and I think it is now part of my ethic, is if my team is NOT in the final contest, to bet on a team that I like that isn't at odds with my own team. For example, if the Niners are not in the Super Bowl, I have no problem cheering for the Buffalo Bills. They are in another division, I like Josh Allen, I can rally behind Bills Mafia, I am tired of the Kansas City Chiefs, etc. This feels *right* to me.

In the past two years, I am indirectly aware that a large number of my students—seniors in high school are betting on sports. In my Sports and Spirituality class, gambling has become a hot topic in the student led Sports in the News presentations. There is a lot of joking and snickering around the subject. Students speak of the odds, the over/under and  more. In short, there are regular attempts to integrate the language of sports betting into class. I never knew "parlay" would be so colloquial! Students have asked me my stance on sports betting, and I've told them. I opened a Draft Kings account for the sole purpose of finding out for myself how easy it is to place bets and the extent of what one can gamble on. The options are endless. In fact, I found it remarkably difficult to place a straight up bet, the app was littered with prop bets, teasers and more. When I mentioned that certain sports bets were not possible to place in California, several students advised me to access a firewall. I realized quite quickly what used to be a bit of a joking matter, was now an everyday activity, a common experience and a culture I help support. 

If you haven't thought about an ethic around sports betting, it's worth further consideration and conversation. Talk to others and get their thoughts—people hold interesting and varied points of view. One way to learn is to engage....if you do, good luck! And keep is clean ;-)

*Smart Bet: rhetorical statement. I wonder, do gamblers place any bet that isn't "smart" in their own eyes? Maybe... again, more worth consideration

Photo Credits
Max Muncy
Trophy
Sports Bet

Justin Turner, Apologies and the World We Live in

I played golf with a ginger yesterday. Some of you will know exactly what that means. This red headed, red bearded athlete hit the ball incredibly far and fast off the tee. About three holes in to the round I erroneously called him Justin. His name was Wade. "Justin? he said. "Who's Justin." I apologized. I was hoping he would take it as a compliment, but given what happened after the World Series, I wasn't sure that he would. 

Justin Turner is the All-Star third baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He tested positive for COVID-19 and was removed during the eighth inning of Game 6. Less than an hour later, his team captured the World Series title. 

As the best team in baseball celebrated on the field—hugging, high fiving, screaming and a few men crying, a new and nearly unbelievable story unfolded. Turner reemerged to take a photo with his wife (who was removed from the players' family section to join him in the isolation room). He joined the team for the championship and the next news-bite you will see is a photo of Turner sitting next to the Dodgers' manager, Dave Roberts—smiling, masks down. The media was quick to report that Roberts is a cancer survivor.

On November 6, 2020 Justin Turner shared via Twitter a public apology what happened on October 27, 2020 following the World Series Championship. While some might question why it took the man—who is regarded as the spiritual leader of the team—over a week to express his regret, it is clear that an investigation by MLB was part of the process. At face value, Tuner's actions appear incredibly selfish and disrespectful of the times we are living in. Upon further investigation another story emerges. I will let both his apology—posted on Twitter and through his personal website— and the happenstance around the offense speak for itself. 

It was incredibly liberating to have some emotional distance from this COVID disaster. I am not a Dodger fan in the least. In fact, during the World Series, I was actively rooting against them and for the Tampa Bay Rays. I feel no personal need to defend Justin Turner whatsoever.To me, he let his team and his fans down. I wondered if and how baseball would punish him. He will not be fined by MLB, Los Angeles has its trophy and fortunately no one on his team tested positive for COVID-19 following the win (five people in the Dodgers' organization did test positive but they were outside of the bubble). 

I read his apology. I think it is important that he wrote one for his fans, his teammates and for baseball. I have also read how many people have completely rejected it. People are tired of leaders making mistakes. The public has asked for more of us and of one another in the midst of pandemic. I do not disagree. 

In recent times however, I have noticed just how many apologies are criticized and go unaccepted. I hear it among friends and acquaintances as they harbor anger and antimony long after an offense has occurred. I wonder, Is this the culture of social media? Is this just the time we are living in? I ask these questions because I am concerned. Do we want a society that accepts some apologies and rejects others? And for those who do not accept apologies, I would like to know—what do they want? I imagine the answer is for someone to NOT make the mistake yes.....but I would like to hear more.

You might argue it's a person's right to accept or reject an apology. Fine. My question remains. Where does that leave us? Both the offender and the offended? And on another level, I now wonder, Is it important to say I am sorry? Is owning up to mistakes important? Because an apology isn't a given. It's not necessarily required—is it?!. As I've said more than once, And for what else shall we pray?

COVID-19 has shed a lot of light on inequalities, injustice and more. The pandemic has challenged us to confront matters of life and death, the quality of life for, most especially the least among us in our society. To play a baseball game in the middle of it all, has not gone unquestioned. While it has brought excitement and joy, it has also brought disappointment and further division. However, through MLB, I've been able to see that a world that rejects people owning up to mistakes, and dismisses those who account for their failings is not one I want to live in—before, during or after a pandemic. Aiming to explain what happened and why, knowing you should have done better, and reaching out personally to those you have harmed—well, that's one I do. I won't apologize for that.

Photo Credits
Kourtney and Justin
Apology 
WS

Pieces of Perspective and Inspiration: Does This World Series Warrant an Asterisk?

It's not in my nature to delight in the misgivings of others. I aim to be a positive person and usually want what is best for people. That is, unless you wear Pantone 294....or are on the receiving end of one of my favorite cheers. When I yell "Beat LA!" I mean it. 

For the past eight years, those pesky Dodgers have captured the National League West. And with the payroll and the talent they have, they should. But to my delight, they have returned to Chavez Ravine without the Commissioner's Trophy again and again. Their faults, their floundering and their failings somehow make the San Francisco Giants 2010, 2012 and 2014 World Series titles that much sweeter. Is there a Yiddish word for the OPPOSITE of "Schadenfreude?"

With a 3-2 game lead in the World Series, LA may do what they have not done since Kirk Gibson rounded the bases in 1988. It goes without saying that 2020 is different in the sports world and everywhere else—and yet a World Series is underway. I have wondered, if I were an LA fan, Would I want the title as much as I would in a "regular" year? Will it mean as much?  The Giants fan in me takes smug satisfaction in thinking they will get their "just desserts" in this way....or will they?! Fortunately, ESPN's Sports Daily podcast "Jeff Passan on a World Series Unlike Any Other" provided some much needed perspective. And so entries number 5 and 6 of perspective and inspiration stem from  the 2020 Fall Classic. Enjoy.

Perspective: ESPN Daily host Pablo Torre asked, "Does this actually feel like a real World Series to you—given your experience in the past and what you are witnessing right now?" ESPN columnist Jeff Passan responded.

This does not just feel like a real World Series, this feels like the culmination of a season that almost shouldn't have been. Major League Baseball pressed forward with the regular season in hopes that it would reach the post-season. When the Marlins had their COVID outbreak and the Cardinals had their outbreak, MLB could have very easily shut things down. They chose not to and what happened over the two or so months on the season, to me, was something as every bit as difficult as 162 games. 

It may not have been as tiring physically, but the mental grind that players went through everyday to abide by protocols, to during the course of this month—about half of it to be separated from their families—and I understand this is not quite what the NBA bubble was like but I  look at those people who say that this season warrants an asterisk and I agree.

It warrants and asterisk for how tough it was and for how impressive what the players have done, is. 

I will look back on 2020 whoever winds up being the World Series champions and give them even more credit than I do a typical championship.

Whether it's a baseball player, whether its a baseball writer, a podcast host, or whether it is any other person out there in the world right now, we all know how hard 2020 has been. To be at your absolute apex professionally, in front of no fans every night, in front of this silence when you're used to something different! I think it took an incredible amount of mental strength that players probably haven't been given enough credit for but hopefully they get their due this week.

Many sports reports are entitled "Inside INSERT YOUR SPORT HERE." Passan's remarkable insight affirmed when someone speaks from "Inside Baseball" he or she has a perspective worth considering.

Inspiration: If you happened to catch Game 5 in this series, you were reminded why we love sports. It was a four hour plus dose of inspiration. But I have also found it in the Rays' defense. As great as the Ray's outfielders are, as is the left side of the infield, I'd like to give a special shout out for Ji Man Choi. 

Passan and Torre spent several minutes discussing the 6'1" 260 pound first baseman. They said "For a man of his size to do the splits is truly a marvel. Choi is a large man. I almost think he does it to show off a little bit."

Choi inspires me because if he can do the splits, so can I. I also appreciate how he conducts himself on and off the field. He's a good hitter, strong on D and in the dugout I can't help but notice he smiles all the time. There's only one Ji Man. 

In Conclusion: I am hoping this Series goes to seven games. Regardless of who prevails, whether or not baseball history puts an asterisk next to the winner, I will truly see that with the perspective of those Inside MLB and all it has taken to make 2020 a go. Thanks to the athletes, coaches, families and admin who let that happen. It's been a great ride.

Photo Credits
Splits
Logo
Plate
Mike

Mid-Summer Classic Reading: Sports & Spirituality Style

Traditionally the All-Star break brings a lull to the sports media cycle. While this year's home run derby was actually worth talking about, SportsCenter's reel is running thin. No ball scores to relay, Wimbledon is complete and we are in the holding pattern for The British Open, as it begins on Thursday. The best the NBA can offer is its D-league and with summer temperatures in full swing, it's hard to think about Fall and Football. I have to admit, ESPN knows what it's doing by hosting the ESPY awards on the final night of the break offered by the mid-summer classic. And with this year's honoree, Caitlyn Jenner, the buzz is real. I'd like to think that I will pass, (although I probably won't). If that's your plan I'd like to offer three articles worth reading to keep your own sports and spirituality reel running strong.

1. The Dunk Project by Michael McKnight

I love that the author and narrator Michael McKnight decided to undertake a nonsensical yet impressive and alluring physical goal. It's one that many utter as a benchmark of respect—the slam dunk. McKnight integrates the history of the game and this physical feat, a game plan for what this will task of him and why. I love that he's 43 years old and going for it. I love the personal inventory he takes to reach this goal. He writes,

The things I had going for me: an understanding spouse; a modicum of leaping ability; proximity to one of the world’s best training centers; and, again, an understanding spouse.

And I love that he has a great sense of humor about it all. He says,

Because a Snap Back wasn’t always available, local residents may have spotted a sweaty forty­something man rubbing Vaseline on his hands in the corner of their child’s favorite playground last year. Sometimes he wore a weight vest that made him look like a jihadist. What I’m saying is, Thanks for not calling the cops.

Hey Mike, there's a man who looks like a jihadist at my gym too. I don't think he's trying to dunk though.

This piece is lengthy, but you will appreciate the Dunk that much more and I bet you will start thinking about a non-sensical yet impressive goal you too can strive for.

2. Blue Skies Ahead by James Keane

I wish I could tell you I will read Pope Francis' new encyclical "Laudato Si," but I know myself and the best I can offer for the good of my students and as someone who is committed to on-going education in my Catholic faith is that I will read the executive summary. My parish provided a handy "Beyond the Headlines" brochure and it is also offering small group sharing, Intentional Seeks: Care for Creation. I'll see what I can do. I have to admit, however, James Keane's article "Blue Skies Ahead" certainly wet my appetite. 

Keane, an Angelino (what a great term. I hate LA but I can still admit folks from the second largest city in the US have a good name) was at the 1988 World Series. The last of the Dodgers' World Series titles comes by way of something that even Hollywood couldn't script. How? Why? The backdrop would never be used on the silver screen. He writes,

The smog is so thick and viscous that the city seems to exist at the bottom of a bowl of broth. Everything is some shade of brown. The image would not be out of place in a shock-doc about China’s callous disregard for the environment and for human health or in a dystopian film about a future when we all wear masks.

Fortunately, today is a different story. He explains how. We ought to know why. Pope Francis would urge us to do more.

3. Guided by the Rule of St. Benedict by Kevin Coyne (see page 24)

I don't know what is more strange: that I receive Seton Hall University's alumni magazine or that I read it. My friend the late Msgr Jim Sheehan died of colon cancer four years ago. Jim was in residence at the Cathedral in Newark, NJ which is affiliated with Archdiocese's seminary—set on the SHU campus. I think I made a donation in his memory. That gift has proven to be a gift...and that is by way of the story "Guided by the Rule of St. Benedict" by Kevin Coyne.

Folks may know of St. Benedict's Prep in Newark because of their outstanding basketball program or the school's history through the race riots on the '60s but this article is worth reading because of their simple yet effective philosophy.

this is a movie I'm excited to watch.

Among the vows that Benedictines take is a vow of stability. “It’s the exact opposite of most religious congregations,” Father Leahy said. “We make a commitment to a place.”

In a world that is transient as well as ever-changing, it's remarkable to me that the Benedictine way is to put down roots. Given the population they serve, this is that much more important.  

The 12-acre campus straddles both sides of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard — the former High Street — and includes a 60-room dorm that is home to students whose own homes are plagued by too many risks.

Wow.

Hospitality is a virtue that precedes the reputation of the Order of St. Benedict. This school affirms that truth.

Every magazine I read offers "summer reading recommendations." They are books for taking to the beach or sitting poolside. I thought I would offer three articles instead to a) inspire b) care for creation and c) consider practicing virtues like stability and hospitality in our own communities. Enjoy!

Photo Credits
Dunk Project: from the article
Kirk Gibson

The Rule

Addition by Subtraction: Beyond Yasiel Puig

One of my favorite expressions is "addition by subtraction." I was reminded of it this morning as I listened to something that I never get tired of hearing: the local San Francisco Giants' radio station harp on the Los Angeles Dodgers. That's right, Murph and Mac of the the KNBR radio show delighted in sharing excerpts from a book due out during the All Star break "The Best Team Money Can Buy."

Anyone who has coached, managed or taught understands "addition by subtraction." Sometimes we gain by losing, someone or something. We can be better off by cutting ties and letting go. We have all heard "less is more." It applies to the spiritual life as well.

Yasiel Puig has played for the Dodgers since 2013. In that time he has batted close to 30o is known for his power hitting. Most opposing pitchers consider him to be a notable threat. But he has also proven to be a threat to team unity. And to continue the math metaphor, it's not that Puig is divisive in the clubhouse. It's ≥ than that. He might do more harm than good. Jeff Passan writes:

While some issues, like his habitual tardiness for games, have abated this year, according to sources, Puig's work ethic in batting practice and the wfeight room continue to bother some teammates. Much of the hostility stems from a general sense of entitlement shown by the 24-year-old. During spring training this year, as Knight writes and multiple sources confirmed to Yahoo Sports, Puig argued with teammates over who should be allowed on a plane ride that typically includes wives and girlfriends. The subject of someone from Puig's entourage joining the traveling crew came up, and sources told Yahoo Sports that Puig argued with pitcher Zack Greinke and nearly came to blows with infielder Justin Turner over the matter.

No player is perfect—far from it. But building a team is already hard work. It demands drawing an athlete out of him or herself and thinking about others as much as yourself (ideally more). Passan adds, "Inside the Los Angeles Dodgers' clubhouse, the contempt some teammates hold for outfielder Yasiel Puig is no longer a secret limited to whispers. They discuss it openly, resigned to the fact that the Dodgers don't plan to trade their mega-talented right fielder no matter how deep the animus runs."

When a high profile athlete brings a sense of entitlement and holds a questionable work ethic to a professional environment, you have to evaluate their worth. 

"We've talked about this," one Dodgers player told Yahoo Sports. "At this point, it would be addition by subtraction." 

I have no tolerance for entitlement. Its opposite is gratitude.

This past year we had 107 girls on the cross country team. While I would love to think it was wonderful for so many young women to have the opportunity to compete, be a member of a team and develop a life long love of running, the truth of the matter was something different. 

Cross country is a hard sport. Although there's a cliche that states "you can run but you can't hide," we found a lot of girls did quite the opposite. They weren't interested in running, and so they hid—in the bushes, behind tress, in the bathroom or locker room. When caught, the excuses were many. Ultimately, those who suffered were the athletes were on task, who wanted to improve and make the most out of the sport. I don't know how many times we said it was time to "trim the fat." Meaning, toss away what is unhealthy and tenderize the meat. In short: addition by subtraction.

Had we added by subtracting, we could have given more time to our top 15 runners. We could have reached the runners on the cusp with better training, coaching and attention to detail. Addition by subtraction frees one up to see what they have, and can change the perspective away from what is getting in the way.

As I thought more about this expression I couldn't help but think about how it relates to the spiritual life; in particular the virtue of forgiveness. When we let go of the hurt and the grudge, we add joy and peace. Subtracting hatred or contempt, we add love. It's no easy task...far from it, which is why I think the saying is so important.

And because it is challenging, I started to think of a spiritual exercise that might allow us to become familiar with adding by subtracting. I was reminded of what William O'Malley wrote in the article Teaching Empathy. The paragraph is entitled "Check out the Closets." He says, 

Yet another way of developing a sense of humanity (grace builds on nature or not at all) is simply to ask kids to go through their closets and drawers and pick out anything they haven't worn in a year. Obviously, they have no remote need of it, and it could save someone's life--or at least give them a momentary lift. And even in a worst-case scenario, where the Salvation Army driver steals all the best and fences it for money-in the first place, you'll never know· that, and. in the second place, your compassion and generosity have done something very good inside you.

I have made a point of regularly going through my closet to determine if I need all that I have. When I have the tendency to hold onto something, I challenge myself to let it go. We don't gain virtue in practicing that which is easy—we need to stretch ourselves toward the good, the loving and the just. 

As St. Francis has said "in the giving that we receive." When I give, (especially what I don't need away), I am able to see more clearly all that I have. The paradox remains, by subtracting what I have, I gain more than virtue—I add appreciation. Give it a shot...or maybe I should say "add it to your life."

Photo Credits
Book
Yasiel

Addition.

In Support of the Divisive Athlete: One Yasiel Puig

I'm starting to realize just how much I appreciate the divisive player. 

In the wake of the Incognito-Martin case, you may wonder how that is possible. Athletics provides a very public platform and case study for us to raise questions, challenge assumptions, and discuss moral issues. Although I wish racial slurs, bullying and hazing were not part of our world, we know the sad truth is they occur more than we want to admit. Enter in the controversial athlete. In addition to serving as a model of what not to do or who not to become, they can also teach us a lot about who we are and what we value. Case in point: one Yasiel Puig.

Most people hated this move--I loved it.

Puig is a 22-year old outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers who defected from Cuba in 2012. To the delight of San Francisco Giants fans and many others, he was NOT the National League Rookie of the Year. He is loved and loathed. His $42 million dollar seven-year contract is but one of the many reasons this athlete is hotly contested. My social experiments continue and this is what I have learned about my colleagues and myself from "el cubano."

Respondent #1
This teacher comes to school every Sunday to plan for the week. Despite the fact he has taught for over 20 years, he continues to thoughtfully prepare his classes, quizzes and exams on his day off. I have often wondered if Coach John Wooden mentored him. Furthermore, he is never late; he never leaves school early.  

When Puig's name came up at the lunch table, he immediately cited the incident in August, when Dodgers manager Don Mattingly benched him during the fifth inning for reasons he wished to keep "in house." Local sportswriters and fans guess it was for not hustling to his position in right field. That was an unofficial disciplinary measure, but he was officially benched eight days prior when arrived 35 minutes late for pre-game activities.  

Translation: Colleague #1 could never support a player with a lax work ethic or a professional who does not give their best. I am so glad that he holds his students to a high standard, one which he meets as well.

Respondent #2
This co-worker works in the finance office. He is a great at what he does but I know his true passion is serving as an assistant coach for our boys' basketball team as well as his own daughters' softball team and his son's little league team.

When asked about Puig, my friend said "I know he's a great athlete but boys and girls see what he does and they imitate it. You just can't have that attitude on the field." He's referring what happened in post season play. Dodgers were down to the St. Louis Cardinals 0-2 in the series. Mike Wise of the Washington Post captures the charade.

Puig twirled his bat and tossed it at home plate in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, raising his arms and celebrating a long drive he thought was a home run. Realizing the ball didn’t clear the wall, he burst into a dead sprint and legged out a standup triple, celebrating further by raising both arms. Dodger Stadium fell into delirium. 

Puig is the first baseball player I can recall to wildly celebrate a home run and a triple in the same at-bat, and the fact that he made it to third base without sliding was all the more reason to be in awe.

Translation: Colleague #2 likes to point to professional athletes for who they are and how they play the game. My recommendation? Consider using Puig as an example of how he does not want his players to act. More importantly however, explain why. Perhaps it has something to do with sportsmanship.

What an incredible documentary; "From Ghost town to Havana" 

Respondent #3
This person traveled to Cuba in March 2012. She learned a lot about this rich culture, namely how little and yet how much the people have. They have a deep love of baseball and the way they play the game is dramatically different. Players and fans are vocal. They live and die with their teams, wearing their heart on both sleeves. She knows that Puig responded the way every other player would in his homeland and started to wonder why American's don't celebrate wins with more joy and losses with more disgust.

Translation: In the study of ethics, we are always invited to consider motivation, history, cultural influence, background and more. For the record, I am #3 (and felt weird writing about myself in the third person). I saw what many criticized as an invitation to learn more about baseball in Cuba. If you would like to see for yourself, check out this brief clip "From Ghost town to Havana." In doing so, you'll learn what Cuba can offer for each one of us and what we can offer for Cuba.

Yasiel Puig, you are just one of many professional athletes who offer us something to consider. I hope you have a terrible season next year ;-) 

Photo Credits
Excessive Celebration
Documentary Photo