Simple Pleasures

With Thanksgiving almost upon us, what better time to “take time for paradise”?  That’s the name of Bart Giamatti’s classic book from 1989. It was re-released earlier this year. If you are fond of nostalgia, take a look back at what the former baseball commissioner had to say.

Read this book because:

1. It is thoughtful, a little like George F. Will’s “Men at Work.”

Giamatti begins his reflection on baseball and sport’s place in society on the whole with a reference to Greek philosopher Aristotle. “It has long been my conviction that we can learn far more about the conditions, and values, of a society by contemplating how it chooses to play…” ( 1, Take ). Sport, in this case baseball, entertains questions about how we choose to spend our time away from work as well as what we consider important in our life experience. “…We do business in order that we may have leisure…” Aristotle said ( 17 ). Sport is more art than religion, more expression than adherence.

2. Freedom to enjoy as a spectator does not always apply to the athlete .

Appreciate what you see unfolding before you, Giamatti writes. “Many abuses, including the abuse of drugs or alcohol or steroids, among some college athletes or some professional athletes, stem from the complete athletization of life…” ( 46-7 ). No wonder some behavior by athletes seems surreal. Amid temptation to cheat and get carried away, baseball has, however, had a good impact on society. Jackie Robinson joining the Dodgers was something that made the Constitution come alive. Seeing life play out on the baseball diamond teaches positive lessons, as opposed to MTV and other growing technologies, the visionary wrote some 20 years ago.

3. Sports are meaningful because of their personal nature .

“We will watch or play games or sports that reflect how we think of ourselves or that promote how we wish to be perceived,” the book’s third section opens ( 71 ). From our youth, each of us learns to value freedom, a distinctly American idea. No wonder baseball is the national pastime.

Sam Miller is the founder of Sam’s Dream Blog .  A graduate of the University of Illinois, he worked with various teams in sports information and received the Freedom Forum – NCAA Sports Journalism Scholarship for his achievements. At the University of Illinois, Miller regularly wrote feature stories about the football team. He has also served as communications intern for the Angels’ Triple-A affiliate. Prior to that, he worked as a communications intern for USA Basketball and as an associate reporter for MLB.com.