A tragedy. Brattain was one of my favorite THT writers. I loved his stuff on steroids, Bonds, Selig, etc. I had just found his personal blog a couple days ago. Sad stuff![]()
A tragedy. Brattain was one of my favorite THT writers. I loved his stuff on steroids, Bonds, Selig, etc. I had just found his personal blog a couple days ago. Sad stuff![]()
One of the greats in my mind, but he's not a mainstream writer, so few know who he is. He was absolutely brilliant and of course it doesn't hurt his case with me that he was a big time Blue Jay fan. Here's my favourite all-time John Brattain article written during the most incredible dry spell with men in scoring position that I have ever been witness to last May. The Jays' futility in RISP situations became so epic that it became almost funny. He was able to capture what it feels like to be a fan when your team is in the crapper, and to capture the anger, frustration, and borderline insanity that goes along with it with far more eloquence than Joe Blowhard Fan who picks up the phone and calls an all-sports radio station detailing why so and so sucks and this guy should be fired etc etc etc blah blah blah.
As to the individual who rated this thread a one-star thread, please link to the thread that I gave and check out the graphic description of the fate he was wishing upon his favourite team's hitters for causing him so much pain with "their mastery of mediocrity". It comes after the first paragraph and it is my wish for you.You are of course entitled to your opinion, but it looks like an opinion that was arrived at in 1.5 seconds and no thought was put into it whatsoever. Nice.
I will only miss reading his brilliant columns. It sucks that there won't be any new Brattain material. I can't imagine what his poor family is going through.
My Simulation Settings Widget
My 1901-2008 Simulation Settings (March 6, 2009 Update: Now runs through 1951)
"I think 'competing' is the key word in your phrase. The Rays are not competitive in the playoff race this year, nor do they seem to me to be on track to in the coming years." - LQ1Z34 on 08/23/11
"Bwahahahahahah! Don't count your chickens before they've hatched dude." - Me on 09/25/11
"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." - Mark Twain
"Science exists, moreover, only as a journey toward truth. Stifle dissent and you end that journey." - John Charles Polanyi
Ugh, he was only 43. Here's another link to most of his stories at The Hardball Times. If you love baseball (why would you be here if you didn't?) and you love great writing do yourself a favour and check 'em out. Great stuff.
My Simulation Settings Widget
My 1901-2008 Simulation Settings (March 6, 2009 Update: Now runs through 1951)
"I think 'competing' is the key word in your phrase. The Rays are not competitive in the playoff race this year, nor do they seem to me to be on track to in the coming years." - LQ1Z34 on 08/23/11
"Bwahahahahahah! Don't count your chickens before they've hatched dude." - Me on 09/25/11
"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." - Mark Twain
"Science exists, moreover, only as a journey toward truth. Stifle dissent and you end that journey." - John Charles Polanyi
How did he die?
Economic Left/Right: -7.75
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -8.72
(Thanks to BINGLE for my banner!)
Matt Wieters says:"My morning routine goes: wake up, bang 10 hot women, eat Lucky Charms, destroy a few countries, and then read YeahThisIsMyBlog.blogspot.com."
Mogul No No's and Perfect Games:
2008 Royals-Gil Meche No hitter in 10 innings 1-0 final score
2038 Padres-Matthew Graham Perfect Game 1-0 victory!
Complications from heart surgery
By the way, if you want some comedy gold, and a big reason why John will be greatly missed by the blogging/analysis community, check out this thread and do a "Find Next" on "Bones McCoy" and read his posts.
That is terrible...
Economic Left/Right: -7.75
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -8.72
(Thanks to BINGLE for my banner!)
Matt Wieters says:"My morning routine goes: wake up, bang 10 hot women, eat Lucky Charms, destroy a few countries, and then read YeahThisIsMyBlog.blogspot.com."
Mogul No No's and Perfect Games:
2008 Royals-Gil Meche No hitter in 10 innings 1-0 final score
2038 Padres-Matthew Graham Perfect Game 1-0 victory!