TunneySide of Sports

On the TunneySide of Sports March 9, 2020 #786 Up next… Baseball comes along every spring!

After further review… In an earlier Tunneyside, ‘Baseball – America’s Pastime!‘ I asked if Baseball is still considered America’s pastime. In that post, I asked: “Has this sport taken an upper-deck seat to football, basketball, soccer and other sports? Has the baseball season-ticket holder become disenfranchised with today’s MLB?

In the opinion here, baseball remains the sport of a new season and one that we look forward to each spring. It signals the end of winter and an abundance of optimism. As President Clinton said on the eve of the 1995 World Series, “Baseball is part of our common heritage.”

Baseball has also been called ‘a thinking person’s game’. Meaning that the pace of the game allows us to contemplate what just happened and speculate what might happen next. It’s a mindset that will help in other areas of one’s life.

And baseball has space! Unlike football, the players are not huddled together, and each player has his own area of responsibility, all while working together as a T*E*A*M towards the end goal.

Speaking of former presidents, do you recall when Gerald Ford made the comment that he “watched a lot of baseball on the radio”? Listening to baseball on the radio can create a visual of the game in your mind which is why you see so many people tune-in during the season. As I often sat in Dodger Stadium watching Koufax or Drysdale do their magic, I listened on the radio to Vin Scully describe the game with so much more insight.

Yes, the MLB has some serious problems right now, but I feel that the sport is so deeply ingrained in our nation’s history that those issues will be resolved, and the game will always be our National Pastime.

Will you add your thoughts on America’s game?

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To contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com. Jim’s books are full of inspiration and interesting stories. Please visit his online store to learn more.

Jim’s bobblehead ($30) and latest book ($20) “101 Best of TunneySide of Sports” are available at Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (501c3) P.O. Box 1440 Pebble Beach, Ca, 93953. Includes autograph and free S&H. Thank You!

Jim is available for speaking engagements on leadership and T*E*A*M Building. His books are available for $20 which includes shipping and tax. The Tunney Bobblehead is available for $30. Please visit JimTunney.com. Thank you!

On the TunneySide of Sports February 24, 2020 #784 Up next… Dealing with difficult issues

After further review… Spring is a favorite time of the year since it’s baseball season. I wanted to play professional baseball as did my father. Prior to marrying my mother and after graduating from Loyola University in Los Angeles, dad was signed by the Oakland Oaks as their starting 3^rd baseman. He only played one season and then began a teaching/coaching career.

My baseball career can be summed up with playground, high school and a short college tenure. I was able to coach the Occidental College frosh T*E*A*M to a championship as a college senior and four years of high school baseball. I continue to enjoy MLB teams as they begin spring training. My all-time favorite team was the New York Yankees since as a kid I listened (yes, before TV) on the radio as Mel Allen and Marty Glickman broadcast games. When the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles with Vin Scully, I adapted and followed them.

However, this 2020 Major League Baseball season brings an unexpected and disheartening scandal to the game. While we’ve had these before (Black Sox of 1919 etc.), and the disingenuous approach by the manager, coaches and players of the Houston Astros in the 2017 series games has put a damper on this 2020 season.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s office uncovered that the Astros used electronic devices to decode signals that their opponents used from catcher to pitcher for the type of pitch to throw. In baseball, players have always tried to steal signs that their opponents were using for types of pitches, when a runner was about to steal a base, etc. Those tactics – good/bad/right or wrong—were what has been termed gamesmanship, but using electronics is prohibited!

The Astros won the 2017 World Series defeating the Dodgers in the final game 5-1 getting 5 hits by using electronics to inform their batters what type of pitch to expect, (note: The Dodgers got 6 hits without illegally using electronics!) That Astros ploy was used against other teams as well and many players are mad as hell!

Commissioner Manfred suspended the Astros general manager and coach followed by Astros owner Jim Crane firing both. Sometimes when you win, you lose! Many MLB players are suggesting further retaliation by suggesting that their pitchers “get even” by purposely throwing at the Astros players –ala brushback pitches, but “watch out for in-your-ear.” Some players want the World Series trophy, rings and title removed.

TunneySide says let’s move-on! Retaliation and hatred never solved a problem. I learned some time ago: “Never be a prisoner of your past. It was just a lesson, not a life sentence.”

Will you have the courage to move-on after facing a difficult situation?

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To contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com. Jim’s books are full of inspiration and interesting stories. Please visit his online store to learn more.

Jim’s bobblehead ($30) and latest book ($20) “101 Best of TunneySide of Sports” are available at Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (501c3) P.O. Box 1440 Pebble Beach, Ca, 93953. Includes autograph and free S&H. Thank You!

Jim is available for speaking engagements on leadership and T*E*A*M Building. His books are available for $20 which includes shipping and tax. The Tunney Bobblehead is available for $30. Please visit JimTunney.com. Thank you!