The Love of the Game

“America’s pastime” is often seen as outdated, but the passionate support for baseball becomes evident every year during the World Series. We believe this support should be year-round and unwavering. To awaken potential fans from their disillusionment, we have compiled our reasons for falling in love with the game.

Why Bradshaw loves baseball: Discovering a Unique Magic

The first time I stepped into a baseball stadium, I was enchanted by the game. The stadiums themselves hold a special kind of magic. Some teams have strategically designed walls to generate more home runs, while others have unique features that challenge left-handed players, like the uneven design of Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park. There are even stadiums where a baseball diamond is superimposed over a football field, such as Oakland’s Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. I recall a local field in Georgetown with a square chain link fence that was only half the distance from home plate, surrounded by trees in the outfield. I can’t help but feel for the kids who play there. Each stadium offers teams a distinctive home-field advantage that adds to the experience of attending a game.

In Boston, there’s the legendary Green Monster, a towering wall in left field that cunningly pilfers potential home runs. And in the Miami Marlins’ park, any pitch gone awry risks ending up in a fish tank behind home plate!

But the magic of baseball extends beyond the playing spaces. Major league stadiums can often resemble pseudo-theme parks. As a child, at the behest of my little sister, I played a lot of mini-golf at the Royals’ Kauffman Stadium. And at the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, the outfield concourse boasts a colossal playground where I spent many summer nights, watching future world champions begin their careers. It’s not uncommon for teams to conclude their evening games with a splendid fireworks display, adding an extra layer of enchantment to the ballpark experience.

The creativity in baseball isn’t limited to the stadiums alone. In this country, there are hundreds of professional baseball teams, each with a distinct and often whimsical name. From the Grasshoppers to the Space Cowboys to the Biscuits, any name imaginable from elementary school could be the next team logo (even the Savannah Bananas!).

Unlike other sports, baseball mascots frequently interact with fans, resulting in extraordinary and unforgettable moments. I’ve witnessed Mr. Met, a man with a giant baseball for a head, play a trumpet in the midst of a cheering crowd. Big Red even let me swing his bat. And let’s not forget the Washington Nationals’ presidential race tradition. At every game, larger-than-life mascots representing famous presidents race around the field, engaging in shenanigans that are unique to baseball. Fans cheer for their favorite president as they sprint, a spectacle that captures the essence of how our elections should be held. Observing these moments at a baseball game fills me with childlike joy, and that’s why I will always cherish the sport.

Why Andrew loves baseball: Paying Tribute to a Legend of the Game

October 1 marked a bittersweet day for me. It was the final MLB appearance of Miguel Cabrera, the legendary Detroit Tigers slugger, before his retirement. Cabrera’s illustrious career spanned my entire lifetime, with his first MLB appearance being six months before I was even born.

As my favorite team, the Detroit Tigers, Cabrera spent 16 of his 21 seasons with them. He amassed 511 home runs, won two MVP awards, and achieved the Triple Crown in 2012 by leading the league in batting average, home runs, and RBIs—a feat not accomplished since 1967. His career statistics are undeniably incredible, and witnessing Cabrera’s success during my formative years fueled my passion for baseball. Despite the team’s recent struggles (the last playoffs appearance was in 2014), I remained dedicated to following Cabrera and the Tigers.

Earlier this year, Cabrera announced his plans to retire after this season, which wasn’t surprising considering he is now 40 years old. However, it was still a poignant moment to learn that such a legendary player would be concluding his career. Throughout Cabrera’s final season, I’ve been avidly following and savoring every last moment.

This entire season has felt like a farewell tour for Cabrera. The entire league has come together to honor him, with opposing teams even presenting retirement gifts before games. Notable gifts include a saddle from the Texas Rangers and a fishing rod and tackle box from the Minnesota Twins. In his ultimate game, a sold-out crowd at Comerica Park in Detroit witnessed a 5-2 victory against the Cleveland Guardians, and Cabrera received a standing ovation.

Only in baseball do fans and players across the league unite to honor my all-time favorite player. The sport’s unhurried pace allows for the time to slow down and relish every minute of the game. It was heartening to see the entire league, including rival teams, take the time to appreciate and pay tribute to a legend of the game. Cabrera’s playing days may be over, but his legacy will continue to impact me, the Detroit Tigers, and the entire MLB.

Cabrera’s rise to stardom coincided perfectly with my growing interest in baseball. No one else will ever inspire me as much as Cabrera did, and I’m perfectly content with that. New players will emerge, become legends, and etch their names in the history books alongside Cabrera’s. One exciting development in modern baseball, thanks to improved scouting and player development, is that stars can come from anywhere, similar to how Cabrera emerged from Venezuela two decades ago. As demonstrated by the World Baseball Classic, baseball is truly becoming a global game. While I haven’t found a new favorite player yet, I will continue watching until I do. And in the meantime, there are plenty of other unique aspects of the sport to keep me entertained.

This article is dedicated to Annabella Hoge (COL ’23), our dear former EIC who graduated last spring.