Sports Aren’t Our Escape Anymore

[RandBalls Stu]

Be grateful that they ever were.You know the type. He might even be you. “I don’t get into politics.” “Both sides drive me nuts.” “Can’t we just watch the game?”

 

I’d prefer not to think about the state of the world right now. It’s not great! Civil unrest and a pandemic and natural disasters and a teetering economy and an incredibly divisive political climate. All of it exacerbated by unreliable narrators on your social media platform of choice, none of it with a solid end date that allows you or me or anyone to return to “normal.” A ballgame and a cold beer or two is a goddamn welcome relief.

 

On Thursday night, the best possible chance to distract yourself was a Twins/Tigers game. Granted, the game would have been played in front of cardboard cutouts with fake bubble hockey crowd noise because of one of those things you’d prefer to get away from. The teams took that option off the board when they decided not to play due to the seven bullets fired into Jacob Blake's back in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

 

(If that sentence made you uncomfortable, the bullets felt worse.)

 

You might take issue with the Twins taking the night off. After all, you don’t get to take the day off when something upsets your political sensibilities. To which I can only offer the following baseball-centric response: tough hop. Or, if you’d rather: Facts don’t care about your feelings.

 

Labor doesn’t have much leverage in 2020. The Twins and Tigers have a measure of it. They’re using it. You’re welcome to disagree, or even walk away from the teams and the sport entirely.

 

The thing is, wherever you end up trying to escape the outside world, reality is going to push back. Hard. NASCAR? Nope. The movies? Yeah, no. Living in a cabin in the woods? Should probably check if they’re on fire or if the neighbors are building a helipad.

 

The luxury of turning off the news for three hours at the yard is just that. A luxury. That some of us had it for as long as we did is astonishing. Maybe we’ll get it back someday by doing the hard work necessary to earn it.

 

Maybe.

 

(Image license here.)

 

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[nclahammer]

RandBalls Stu, IMO one of the best and gutsy pieces I've ever read on Twins Daily.  I fully support the decision by the Twins and Tigers not to play and hopefully it got a few heads that were buried in the sand to come up and take a look at what's really going on in our world.

[BobAzar]

Absolutely brilliant. Simple, to the point, and powerful. 

 

 

Sorry, I meant...STICK TO SPORTS COMEDY!

[Cory Engelhardt]

I haven't commented on here in a while. It's been hard to find joy in this season with everything going on. I only wish I could like this post more than one time. This was really great. Thank you.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Damn. Well done. So well done.

[Squirrel]

I haven't commented on here in a while. It's been hard to find joy in this season with everything going on. I only wish I could like this post more than one time. This was really great. Thank you.

You can. Unlike it, then like it again. Rinse, wash, repeat until you’ve liked it 100 times ... or more. I’m not sure ad infinity is enough ...

[gunnarthor]

This is really well said, Stu. I'm extremely proud of our professional athletes - MLB, NBA, even NASCAR - who are addressing issues that need to be addressed. Good for them.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

RandBalls Stu, a Juvenal for our time.

 

iam pridem, ex quo suffragia nulli

uendimus, effudit curas; nam qui dabat olim

imperium, fasces, legiones, omnia, nunc se

continet atque duas tantum res anxius optat, panem et circenses. 

[blindeke]

Well said sir.

[Sielk]

You nailed it. Thank you for this post. It's a message we shouldn't ever forget.

[TheGoldfather]

Hello, I was just looking for information about the game and stumbled here. After reading the article, I set up an account just to say thank you for writing this. I see comments here and elsewhere about this is a league PR stunt and it makes me angry that even when the players are on tv saying it's their decision (while the league tried to make them play), some people just aren't getting this through their thick heads. 

 

People shouldn't have to do this just to beg for equality. This is a human rights issue. What normally adjusted human being would welcome the thought of another human not receiving the same benefits and courtesies as themselves? We're all human, man. We all just want to be able to exercise the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that was baked into the constitution (though it wasn't with us in mind at the beginning). 

 

Writing this took guts and I am grateful to you for writing this and I hope it reaches the people who need it

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Hello, I was just looking for information about the game and stumbled here. After reading the article, I set up an account just to say thank you for writing this. I see comments here and elsewhere about this is a league PR stunt and it makes me angry that even when the players are on tv saying it's their decision (while the league tried to make them play), some people just aren't getting this through their thick heads. 

 

People shouldn't have to do this just to beg for equality. This is a human rights issue. What normally adjusted human being would welcome the thought of another human not receiving the same benefits and courtesies as themselves? We're all human, man. We all just want to be able to exercise the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that was baked into the constitution (though it wasn't with us in mind at the beginning). 

 

Writing this took guts and I am grateful to you for writing this and I hope it reaches the people who need it

Welcome to Twins Daily, please stick around and talk Twins whenever you get the itch.

[Squirrel]

 

Hello, I was just looking for information about the game and stumbled here. After reading the article, I set up an account just to say thank you for writing this. I see comments here and elsewhere about this is a league PR stunt and it makes me angry that even when the players are on tv saying it's their decision (while the league tried to make them play), some people just aren't getting this through their thick heads. 

 

People shouldn't have to do this just to beg for equality. This is a human rights issue. What normally adjusted human being would welcome the thought of another human not receiving the same benefits and courtesies as themselves? We're all human, man. We all just want to be able to exercise the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that was baked into the constitution (though it wasn't with us in mind at the beginning). 

 

Writing this took guts and I am grateful to you for writing this and I hope it reaches the people who need it

 

Game info ... it's in rain delay ... but when it gets up and running, join us in the game thread!  

 

http://twinsdaily.com/topic/40260-double-header-game-thread-twins-tigers-1210pm-cdt-8282020ad/?do=findComment&comment=983860

[Craig Arko]

At this point it would seem like Pina Coladas and gettin' caught in the (Detroit) rain are the best escape plan.

[nodaknat]

Well written...thank you. 

[jkcarew]

It's possible to agree that nobody deserves what appears to have happened, especially based on that person's race...and still disagree with some of the politics that spills out in the aftermath. It's also possible to disagree on the nature and scope of the underlying causes and solutions. Self-righteous and myopic grandstanding will hurt, not help. The insinuation that those that don't want to deal with it on a baseball website or disagree with some actions in the aftermath...the insinuation that necessarily those people are the unenlightened deniers, to your immense wokeness...is exactly the kind of myopic grandstanding to which I refer.

 

Is this more important than baseball? Yep. Ideally, everyone should spend 2 hours studying/considering how they think the social ills of our country could be improved upon and  how best to take action to that end...for every 1 hour they spend on this site.

 

But, I come here...to this website, for baseball. I hope that sentence didn't make anyone feel uncomfortable.

[RedBull34]

Headline should read:

 

Sports aren't our escape anymore.

 

Not sure what the point is anymore.

[Wedman13]

Well written and thank you but hard to agree with it all.  What exactly did they accomplish by using their 'leverage'?  It didn't move the needle one bit. 

 

Escaping to the outside world will push back hard?  Maybe spending time with kids, exercising, reading a book, going fishing, calling to chat with your grandparents now and then?  Not sure what all the push back is you mean.

 

I'm possibly selfish, but sports are/was my escape, not what I thought I would ever need to escape from.  

[RedBull34]

 

Well written and thank you but hard to agree with it all.  What exactly did they accomplish by using their 'leverage'?  It didn't move the needle one bit. 

 

Escaping to the outside world will push back hard?  Maybe spending time with kids, exercising, reading a book, going fishing, calling to chat with your grandparents now and then?  Not sure what all the push back is you mean.

 

I'm possibly selfish, but sports are/was my escape, not what I thought I would ever need to escape from.  

"People who cannot find time for recreation are sooner or later to find time for illness."
–John Wanamaker

 

Not selfish.  Self-Preservation.  Everyone needs to do what they enjoy for a measure of time to preserve their sanity and themselves.  If one source of enjoyment is closed, they will simply find another.

[Thebigalguy]

Great response to a great response by the Twins players and team to injustice. The team did exactly the right thing. I'm a patriotic American. Too many people recently have wrapped themselves in our flag while condoning racism and injustice. This is the least the team could do. It's Friday now, and I wish I could say we could get back to baseball, but now it's the weather forcing the game to be postponed. What a year to endure, but at least we have a team to cheer for both on and off the field.

[Wedman13]

 

It's possible to agree that nobody deserves what appears to have happened, especially based on that person's race...and still disagree with some of the politics that spills out in the aftermath. It's also possible to disagree on the nature and scope of the underlying causes and solutions. Self-righteous and myopic grandstanding will hurt, not help. The insinuation that those that don't want to deal with it on a baseball website or disagree with some actions in the aftermath...the insinuation that necessarily those people are the unenlightened deniers, to your immense wokeness...is exactly the kind of myopic grandstanding to which I refer.

 

Is this more important than baseball? Yep. Ideally, everyone should spend 2 hours studying/considering how they think the social ills of our country could be improved upon and  how best to take action to that end...for every 1 hour they spend on this site.

 

But, I come here...to this website, for baseball. I hope that sentence didn't make anyone feel uncomfortable.

Thank you for posting this.  I used to love CanisHoopus for the wolves, but now its all politics.  Despite being a lurker not poster, Twins Daily has been a staple of mine for 15+ years, even back to the SethSpeaks days (I forget when Seth went to TD).  I hope TD doesn't follow Canis' lead.... I would completely miss what this site brings.

[Wedman13]

Double post....see, I am a lurker and don't know how to navigate

[ANDwon]

 

"People who cannot find time for recreation are sooner or later to find time for illness."
–John Wanamaker

 

Not selfish.  Self-Preservation.  Everyone needs to do what they enjoy for a measure of time to preserve their sanity and themselves.  If one source of enjoyment is closed, they will simply find another.

I agree that it is very important for folks to be able to find time for recreation, and to be able to get away, to escape to preserve their sanity and themselves.

 

I have a number of privileges that allow me to have options when it comes to escape.  Some people are treated differently based on the color of their skin, sexuality, gender, etc. and this momentary loss of privilege helps me remember that.

 

I can watch a movie, and go to sleep in my own bed without fear that the police will break down my door and shoot me (Breonna Taylor)

 

I can watch a baseball game and not fear that the broadcaster will unknowingly broadcast hateful language about my sexuality (Thom Brennaman)

 

I can let my 12 year-old children play with toys in the yard without being mistaken for 20 and shot (Tamir Rice)

 

I can drive my car and have the taillight go out and not have a police officer overreact and shoot me out of fear (Philando Castile)

 

I can watch professional sports anytime they are on without having to hear coded language for racism. I can watch white athletes never be asked to speak for their entire race.

 

I can escape because my skin color lets me.  This break is time for me to reflect on how I can work to create a world where everybody can truly take a break, recreate, enjoy life without fear that somebody else's racism will tarnish the experience.  Imagine never having baseball.  Imagine never being able to truly escape.

[etwink]

Given that this post and many of the comments have been spam-liked by all of the Top Dogs and the power posters who drive the culture discussions have all weighed in to support the post, I feel like I’m taking my life in my hands by even hinting at questioning it but sorry it feels like one of those people who take joy in telling other people “this is the new normal!!”.
 

What has happened to society that we aren’t even allowed to enjoy simple pleasures like a sporting event??  What exactly is wrong with that??

 

Would it be possible to create a political/cultural issues page for everyone to comment on, so that all of us who JUST WANT TO ENJOY BASEBALL can live in peace?

 

Probably too much to ask.....

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

It's possible to agree that nobody deserves what appears to have happened, especially based on that person's race...and still disagree with some of the politics that spills out in the aftermath. It's also possible to disagree on the nature and scope of the underlying causes and solutions. Self-righteous and myopic grandstanding will hurt, not help. The insinuation that those that don't want to deal with it on a baseball website or disagree with some actions in the aftermath...the insinuation that necessarily those people are the unenlightened deniers, to your immense wokeness...is exactly the kind of myopic grandstanding to which I refer.

 

Is this more important than baseball? Yep. Ideally, everyone should spend 2 hours studying/considering how they think the social ills of our country could be improved upon and  how best to take action to that end...for every 1 hour they spend on this site.

 

But, I come here...to this website, for baseball. I hope that sentence didn't make anyone feel uncomfortable.

 

It's absolutely fair if you don't want to deal with it here, and Twins Daily is always open for more baseball discussion! I've largely ignored the big discussion thread from yesterday (even though I'm an moderator so I probably shouldn't ), and I just started a thread in the "Other Baseball" forum if you want to check it out:

 

http://twinsdaily.com/topic/40261-what-does-everyone-think-of-the-rule-changes-so-far/

 

If you don't see a baseball article or thread that you want to comment on, start your own!

 

Just don't wade into articles and threads you don't want to deal with, just to say you don't want to deal with them. (Not saying you're doing that here, just a general observation.)

[twinbythebay]

 

Given that this post and many of the comments have been spam-liked by all of the Top Dogs and the power posters who drive the culture discussions have all weighed in to support the post, I feel like I’m taking my life in my hands by even hinting at questioning it but sorry it feels like one of those people who take joy in telling other people “this is the new normal!!”.
 

What has happened to society that we aren’t even allowed to enjoy simple pleasures like a sporting event??  What exactly is wrong with that??

 

Would it be possible to create a political/cultural issues page for everyone to comment on, so that all of us who JUST WANT TO ENJOY BASEBALL can live in peace?

 

Probably too much to ask.....

Who has said that you're no longer allowed to enjoy the pleasures of sporting events? The game that you were hoping to watch yesterday was postponed by one day. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans today. The inconveniences that these protests have caused to the average fan are pretty minor in the grand scheme of things...

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Given that this post and many of the comments have been spam-liked by all of the Top Dogs and the power posters who drive the culture discussions have all weighed in to support the post, I feel like I’m taking my life in my hands by even hinting at questioning it but sorry it feels like one of those people who take joy in telling other people “this is the new normal!!”.
 

What has happened to society that we aren’t even allowed to enjoy simple pleasures like a sporting event??  What exactly is wrong with that??

 

Would it be possible to create a political/cultural issues page for everyone to comment on, so that all of us who JUST WANT TO ENJOY BASEBALL can live in peace?

 

Probably too much to ask.....

It's too much to ask because first, this isn't your site, and second, you can feel free to ignore literally every post on this or related topics.

 

Also, in the case of the players, I don't understand why it's so hard to separate the art from the artist.

 

I can enjoy a Mel Gibson film even if I think his past is pretty horrible. I can read an Orson Scott Card novel even if I find his politics deplorable.

 

At any time, should I feel their views/past become too much for me to personally handle, I will cease consuming their products and move on to other things.

 

No one is forcing you to consume this content and asking others to conform to your personal standards because their views make you uncomfortable is... well, yeah, it's just too much to ask of others. We all get to use our personal platforms for what we please; capitalism decides whether we succeed or fail while doing it.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Well written and thank you but hard to agree with it all.  What exactly did they accomplish by using their 'leverage'?  It didn't move the needle one bit. 

It got people talking, that's for sure. I read somewhere the sentiment from someone in the game that if it got one kid to ask their parents why there was no game yesterday, which led to a bigger conversation, that's a good effect.

 

Very few protests or statements throughout history can be measured by new laws or opinion polls the day after. It's not a reasonable standard for judging their efficacy or necessity.

[etwink]

 

It's too much to ask because first, this isn't your site, and second, you can feel free to ignore literally every post on this or related topics.

 

Also, in the case of the players, I don't understand why it's so hard to separate the art from the artist.

 

I can enjoy a Mel Gibson film even if I think his past is pretty horrible. I can read an Orson Scott Card novel even if I find his politics deplorable.

 

At any time, should I feel their views/past become too much for me to personally handle, I will cease consuming their products and move on to other things.

 

No one is forcing you to consume this content and asking others to conform to your personal standards because their views make you uncomfortable is... well, yeah, it's just too much to ask of others. We all get to use our personal platforms for what we please; capitalism decides whether we succeed or fail while doing it.

Yup, I knew that you’d come at me to shut me up.

 

You’re right; this isn’t my site.  It was only popularised by ignorant shleps like me.

 

If this site had been started with the “discussions” that you in particular personally work really hard to push, it would never have gotten off the ground.

I’m tired of seeing your name come up every time me or another person disagrees with the thought-policing going on with this site.  Enjoy tearing down everything you and others worked hard to build up.

[USAFChief]

Yup, I knew that you’d come at me to shut me up.

 

You’re right; this isn’t my site. It was only popularised by ignorant shleps like me.

 

If this site had been started with the “discussions” that you in particular personally work really hard to push, it would never have gotten off the ground.

 

I’m tired of seeing your name come up every time me or another person disagrees with the thought-policing going on with this site. Enjoy tearing down everything you and others worked hard to build up.

You're literally arguing in a thread you have stated you don't wish to read.

 

There are 27000 baseball threads. Did you know the Twins DFA'd Coulumbe today?