Planning to play: that's what saving for retirement is today - and it is antithetical to the nature of play, fully within the definition of work, and blissfully ignorant of the reality of death. John Thorn antitheticalblissfullydeath Change image and share on social
We are fans because the game also appeals to our local pride, our pleasure in thinking of ourselves as, yes, Americans but nonetheless different from residents of other towns, other states, other regions. John Thorn americanappealfan share on social
Yes, we've seen it all before. And yes, those who do not study history are condemned to repeat it. But no, the sky is not falling - baseball is such a great game that neither the owners nor the players can kill it. After some necessary carnage, market forces will prevail. John Thorn baseballcarnagecondemn share on social
The heroes of our youth grow old - 'the boys of summer in their ruin', in Dylan Thomas's verse - yet we seem the same. John Thorn boydylangrow Change image and share on social
The caliber of play suffered and attendance declined year by year. Interest in college football was exploding, and there was this new game called basketball. John Thorn attendancebasketballcaliber Change image and share on social
Why we play as children is not because it is our work or because it is how we learn, though both statements are true; we play because we are wired for joy, it is imperative as human beings. John Thorn beingchildhuman Change image and share on social
Award trophies, as opposed to letting the players define and claim their own. Ultimately, pay them to play so that their activity not only resembles work but is work. John Thorn activityawardclaim Change image and share on social
We know these men are professionals whose services are up for bid and whose bags are packed, and yet we call them our own and take personal, even civic pride in their accomplishments. John Thorn accomplishmentbagbid Change image and share on social
But baseball bounced back in the next decade to reclaim its place as the national pastime: new heroes, spirited competition, and booming prosperity gave birth to dreams of expansion, both within the major leagues and around the world. John Thorn backbaseballbirth share on social
The National League was born the following year, as an attempt to exert the control of capital over labor. John Thorn attemptbearcapital Change image and share on social
