The Chrysanthemum and the Bat by Robert Whiting. 1977. Avon Books.
Chapter 8 is entitled "Big Fish, Little Pond." This chapter examines the presence and impact of American player sin the Japanese league. For some Americans, once their career in the Majors is over, they head to Japan to play. This includes both players and coaches. For example, Braves great Warren Spahn left America and went on to become the pitching coach for the Hiroshima Carps. American players tended to dominate in Japan. The chapter begins with "The burly, hirsute American spits contemptuously into the dirt and steps into the batter's box. He towers over the frail youth on the mound..." The Japanese admire the Americans for their size and impressive strength. American players dwarf the Japanese, and there's definitely a size advantage when it comes to pitching and hitting. The Japanese teams often sought out American expertise in coaching and specialty roles on the team. After all, baseball is America's pastime.
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1 comment:
1/2--it's good to have you back.
Think about how the author does/not make the book enjoyable, suspenseful, interesting, valuable and comment on the events he focuses on and methods he uses.
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