The Great DebateA marvelous trait of baseball is its wide range of contention -Expansion, Rose, and pennant races get their share of mention - But on one point (lynching Bud makes two) most fans are of like mind: The finest brand of this old game's been left somewhere behind. But when did all the stars align to show ball at its best? That issue's the perfect gift - for the man who wants want no rest. (Fledgling dads scream) '89! Everywhere a paladin! LA's Belcher whitewashed 8; loop bat champ, Tony Gwynn. Braves were last, B.C. (Before Chop-we didn't have to duck it), And Wade Boggs lost his silver bat to fireplug Kirby Puckett. Junior became a Mariner - that certainly was key - They showed the all-time roster lists just how to TCB. Fie! Say their pops (of which I could be one) - the BOMB was '64! Brooksy's ballet won an MVP onstage in Baltimore. Oliva was a super find! The Yanks still ruled the throne! Unless one counts St. Louis, where Ken Boyer found the Zone. Jackson won 24 (as a CUB) - Mays hit 47 home runs - Those guys would make all comers gather splinters in their buns. (Now the great-grandfathers speak their piece) You're daft! It's '46! Teddy strutted back from war; he and York did longball tricks. Vernon hit .353 and Washington got to cheer (for once); Bosco's heads-up dash for home made Pesky look a dunce. Musial stroked .365-Ralph Kiner rocked Forbes Field - Zeuses fought with thunderbolts and had to NO man yield! So when was baseball in its prime? When did it transcend good? The answer lies in every reader's halcyon childhood. That's when we have the widest eyes-our heros do no wrong - That's why our heartstrings rhapsodize their sweetest-ever song. One more thought I've to relate- and it's how life must stay - Years from now, some guys will swear play unsurpassed today. Dan Gray Taylor Jr. Leave feedback on our message board. |