Thanks to BB reader Richard for alerting me to a fine four-parter in the National Post by Allen Abel. Celebrating the centennial of the World Series, it began last Tuesday with The Age Of Magic, a look at the early days, including the employment of "good luck" mascots in big-league dugouts. Part Two, entitled A World Apart, is my favourite -- a beautifully written account of one pitch, and its impact on a man's life. In the third segment, A Classic Youth, Abel, just old enough to recall Don Larsen's perfect game, explains how important the World Series was to him growing up. The finale, Joy For The Few, features conversations with Luis Gonzalez, who knows the thrill of delivering a Series-winning hit, and other champions.
I'm about three years younger than Abel, who covered the Jays and other sports for the Globe and Mail in the late 1970s and early 1980s. My own baseball obsession began at a similar age, with Bill Mazeroski's homer the first indelible moment. Abel thinks his passion is in his DNA, the way hockey is for most Canadians, but I'm living proof that the baseball gene knows no borders. This series is a wonderful diversion for anyone who can't wait for tonight's first pitch. Enjoy.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20031018024537999