#15

I have finished my reading of Baseball and Philosophy. This book has given me so many new insights to my life by relating it to one of my favorite games. It speaks alot to the world that two things so seemingly unrelated can really help you understand them both better in themselves. This inspirational book is a must read for anyone wanting to change their life for the "bat"ter. (Like better but with a bat like baseball, get it?)

#14

The end of the chapter about sacrifice discusses all the history of this often looked down upon practice. Sacrifice can be seen in anhy light, whether it's a play in baseball tryin gto win a game, or an offering to a God trying to gain salvation. The most famous sacrifices in history, of course, come from the Bible. Whether it is Jesus Christ dying for the sins of his people, or Abraham willing to kill his son Isaac, sacrifices make you look at what you have and think, is this worth so much that I cannot give it up for something greater? We must look at things this way in life, or else we can not make righteous decisions that will better the lives of ourselves, and those around us.

#13

I finally got through the Cubs chapter! I don't think I would be able to stand anymore of that Cubs talk! On to the last chapter, called "Taking One for the Team: Baseball and Sacrifice". Two baseball stories, one in which the sacrifice bunt succeeds, and one in which it fails, tell what an important part of the game a sacrifice can be. A small hit or easy fly ball can become as crucial as a long home run. I, for one, know what it can feel like to successfully lay down a sacrifice bunt, one that scored the winning run in a game for our freshman baseball team last year. My coaches, teammates, and all the fans were so happy that it got me thinking of how bad I would have felt if I had not succeeded. Sort of like the debate of having faith, in this situation, I was forced to think about the chances of failure and of success, which is a very important value to have in life if you want to be a well-rounded person.

#12

The end of the Cubs chapter broadens into a wider debate about belief and faith. Why believe in something if you know it will most likely lead to pain and suffering? Why go up to the plate if you know will most likely fail (80% chance)? Why follow Jesus Christ if you must "face persecution" and "pick up your cross" to do so? I can relate to this in two ways. For one, when I go up to bat in baseball, the rewards of getting a hit or getting on base are so rewarding that it is worth the 8 times I will get out for the two times I will get on base or get a hit. The rewards outweigh the risk in the situation. Pertaining to religion, most Christians like me would agree that the rewards of getting to heaven and having eternal life with Jesus and God outweigh the risks of being hurt and made fun of here on earth. Having faith in something is natural for any human being, the author says, and I find this to affect me more than most other people.

#11

I raced through the chapter about the Cubs, my most hated MLB team and biggest rival, as fast as I could. Although I wasn't reading the book, this action brought up another philosophical point to me. I realized something about myself, that the most hated thing in my life was a baseball team. That's right, a baseball team. Sports seem like they would be a much better way to get anger and hatred out than on other people, etc. I feel a lot better about myself that I can find refuge for my hate in something like a baseball team.

#10

The next section of the "Cubs fan" chapter talks about sticking with your team through the thick and then. I have always been a strong believer in being a fan of a team for life, meaning whether they win or lose, you must stick with them. This shows strong morals not just in sports, but inlife. I have always been a fan of all my favorite teams, through the good times and the bad. For example, I have been an Arizona Cardinals fan forever, because my uncle worked for them and my family had always been Cardinals fans since they left Chicago in the 1940s. Unfortunately, the Cardinals have been one of the worst teams in the NFL until recently, making the playoffs once in 50 years; that is until two years ago, when the Cardinals made an improbable run to the Super Bowl, allowing me to brag to all my friends here in Chicago that I was a Cardinals fan, and had not jumped on the bandwagon. The fact that I had been with the team through the losses until they got good gave me a satisfaction that could not be matched by anything else.

#9

The next chapter or "inning" as the book calls it is about a most relevant subject around here: whether Cubs fans should have so much faith in their team. Just like the season outside it is right now, spring, the philosophy of this chapter focuses on newfound optimism through baseball. During baseball season for me, whether it's my own team or my favorite MLB team the White Sox, I find myself more stimulated and happy in the spring, not just because of the weather after such a bleak winter, but because the first outdoor sport is starting, and a new season means new promise, no matter what team you root for. It is this kind of philosophy that makes people latch on to their favorite baseball teams this time of year, no matter who they root for.