Precious Sanders

LATEST ARTICLES ( 1958 )

• Learning to Swing a Bat: A Brief Note for Father’s Day

  My dad was the first person to show me how to swing a baseball bat.  I believe we were still living in San Diego at the time, and we were spending the day at th... Read more

  Posted on 21 June 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS

• “Ode to the Mets,” The Strokes

  

  I was a big fan of The Strokes through my time in college and grad school, but I haven’t paid much attention to them in recent years.  So my thanks goes out to... Read more

  Posted on 19 June 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS

• Nolan Ryan Documentary

  

  This has to be the cheesiest documentary I have ever watched, but that characteristic actually made it pretty fun.  As you’ll see, the cheese just oozes right... Read more

  Posted on 18 June 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS

• Quote of the Day

  

  For in this linkage between the generations rests the magic of baseball, a game that has defied the ravages of modern life, a game that is still played today... Read more

  Posted on 16 June 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS

• Baseball Pitches Illustrated

  

  Here’s a handy little guide for identifying pitches while watching a ballgame.  I like how each pitch is depicted from two different angles. Read more

  Posted on 15 June 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS

• “Baseball Bill,” Echo & The Bunnymen

  

  I confess, the lyrics to this tune are pretty trippy, though I suppose that’s to be expected, coming from a group called Echo The Bunnymen.  Nevertheless, I... Read more

  Posted on 13 June 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS

• This Day in Baseball: Rhoden Starts as DH

  

  On June 11, 1988, New York Yankees manager Billy Martin decided to use starting pitcher Rick Rhoden as the Yankees’ starting designated hitter. Read more

  Posted on 11 June 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS

• Pop Lloyd Baseball Field: PBS Investigations

  

  I stumbled across this PBS feature in the midst of some browsing yesterday.  PBS Investigations ran an episode in 2004 about Pop Lloyd Baseball Field, a... Read more

  Posted on 09 June 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS

• Home Run Trot

  

  Clearly, this coach needs to re-evaluate their priorities.  You just never know when you might need to break out the home run trot, especially at the Little... Read more

  Posted on 07 June 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS

• This Day in Baseball: Nolan Ryan is King of Walks

  

  On June 5, 1981, Astros pitcher Nolan Ryan surpassed Early Wynn as the all-time walk leader with 1,777 when he walked two in his 3-0 victory over the Mets. Read more

  Posted on 05 June 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS

• “(Give It Up For) Buck O’Neil,” Bob Walkenhorst

  

  Buck O’Neil is hailed as a legend, especially here in the Kansas City area.  Not only was O’Neil a great ballplayer, but his achievements off the field were... Read more

  Posted on 02 June 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS

• “Backyard,” by Rochelle Nameroff

  This piece by Rochelle Nameroff was first published in 1990 in the collection Into the Temple of Baseball.  It reminds me a lot of playing ball, really just... Read more

  Posted on 01 June 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS

• This Day in Baseball: Double Leadoff Homers

  

  On May 30, 1913, Red Sox outfielder Harry Hooper became the first major leaguer to lead off both games of a doubleheader with a home run. Read more

  Posted on 30 May 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS

• Quote of the Day

  

  The ball started climbing from the moment it left the plate.  It was a pop fly with a brand new gland and, though it flew high, it also flew far. Read more

  Posted on 28 May 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS

• Polo Grounds Documentary

  

  Here’s a delightful little documentary about the Polo Grounds.  I’ve always loved the metaphor of a baseball stadium as a church or cathedral.  I feel the same... Read more

  Posted on 26 May 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS

• This Day in Baseball: Bradley’s Four-game Streak

  

  On May 24, 1902, Cleveland third baseman Bill Bradley became the American League’s first player to hit a home run in each of four consecutive games. Read more

  Posted on 24 May 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS

• Quote of the Day

  

  I have played baseball on a summer day starting at eight o’clock in the morning, running home at noon for a quick meal, playing again till six o’clock in the... Read more

  Posted on 22 May 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS

• “The Idea of Florida During a Winter Thaw,” by Gail Mazur

  This piece makes me want to go back in time a few months — back to the last days of winter as Spring Training was just getting underway and the threat of the... Read more

  Posted on 21 May 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS

• “The Baseball Song,” Tim Flannery

  

  This song makes me feel sad and nostalgic at the same time.  I sometimes wonder if baseball deserves all the negative sentiment that it receives today, and if... Read more

  Posted on 16 May 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS

• This Day in Baseball: Jersey Numbers Everywhere

  For the first time in history, on May 13, 1929, a major league game featured both teams wearing numbers on the backs of their jerseys. Read more

  Posted on 13 May 2020 BASEBALL, SPORTS