I've gotten to the point in this book where I'm disappointed to see that there is less to go than what I've read. Honestly, it's rare that this happens with me. There is just something special about these stories that is really striking a nerve with me.
This segment of reading (pp. 107-211) was more about the Negro Leaguers that Buck played with than with Buck himself, though Posnanski gives us plenty of insight into Buck's character as well.
I loved the stories about Satchel Paige. So much of Paige's legacy has such a feeling of mythology that the story of the yellow juice fit right into his history. I was fascinated too by the story of Dan Bankhead. I honestly had never heard of him until that point. I loved how both Paige's and Bankhead's sons showed shortly after their father's stories were discussed. Anyone else find it interesting that Paige was successful, but his son was somewhat separating himself from that while Bankhead struggled and yet his son seemed to be obsessed with his father's legacy (in the brief glimpse that we saw him)? Quite a juxtaposition.
Anyway, before I get to this week's questions. Here's some video of Satchel Paige:
Discussion Questions:
1. I've always enjoyed the use of nicknames for baseball players. As Poz told us,
Nicknames defined the Negro Leagues. Many, like Buck, had more than one nickname. Buck was also called "Cap" and "Foots." That was a sign of respect - getting more than one nickname. But almost everyone had at least one nickname.
Nicknames are bit of a lost art form these days. Sure, you've got guys like Big Donkey and Papi, but most of the time nicknames are of the lazy first initial, partial last name form or just adding an "E" sound to the end of their name. Why do you think this is? Are we lazy or uncreative? Are the players too human or too inhuman that they no longer qualify for folksy nicknames? Are there more nicknames that I realize and I'm just being falling back on the "good old days" sap?
2. What did you think when Buck told Star that he was "my kind of brother?" I'll say that it was not the reaction that I expected.
3. Who is the most deserving eligible player not yet enshrined in the Hall of Fame?
4. What was your most favoritist part of this section of reading? Did I miss any critical themes that should be discussed?
Additional reading: If you want to learn about some of the other players mentioned, a good place to start is the BR Bullpen. You can start with Oscar Charleston, the greatest hitter Buck ever saw.