Help me become a baseball fan

[Farmer John]

When do we introduce Jorge to the "fuck face" card? Too early for that?

We're already telling him about things like the Infield Fly Rule, so I'd say anything is on the table.

[doug rr]

When do we introduce Jorge to the "fuck face" card? Too early for that?

We're already telling him about things like the Infield Fly Rule, so I'd say anything is on the table.

I'd pay good money to see Jorge in a pickle between 3rd and home..

[Bammer]

One of the interesting things about baseball is that if you’re not paying attention you could take a 100mph foul ball off the temple and die

[washing machine]

Learn how to score a game and follow along. You'll pick up a lot of the culture in between pitches.

Hard to explain what is mesmerizing about a live baseball game, but it's all there in the silent moments when nothing much is happening.

Everyone above is correct -- this is the best time of year for baseball and there are plenty of storylines to pick up on going into the postseason.

[Farmer John]

[Farmer John]

I bet the reason Jorge's not posting in this thread is because he's still busy finishing Ken Burn's Baseball.

[Jorge]

Sorry guys, I fully forgot I made this thread

[Jorge]

Watch baseball movies

List your favorite ones

[Jorge]

tell me where you want to start, Jorge..we can cover the bases from crow hops to fungos to balks or stupid fans that boo whenever a pitcher makes a throw to first to pick a guy off...I got you

That's the thing. I really don't know where to start. It all seems very overwhelming. What's the most accessible point of entry? Those Ken Burns things?

[Jorge]

The postseason starts in a couple days, so your timing is impeccable as it’s the best baseball. Immerse yourself in the games if you can, soak up the drama, and we’ll answer your gameplay questions along the way. There is only one October.

Is there a publication or an online community you can suggest where I can follow along? I guess I also need to figure out where to watch the games from here

[Jorge]

Also when you say "it's the best baseball," what do you mean?

[Jorge]

Is this how we get chud back?

Chud is not coming back unfortunately

[Jorge]

Thanks, I added this to my Watch Later playlist so I can watch it later

[96583UP]

maybe as a first step, start gambling on it

with money at risk, you will really buy-in on accelerated learning

[Jorge]

You happen to be jumping in when perhaps the greatest baseball player of all time is playing, so—I can’t believe I’m saying this—be sure to watch Dodgers games this postseason. You don’t necessarily have to root for them, but it’ll be worth your time.

Tell me more. Why the Dodgers?

[Jorge]

I think you can be a fan of baseball the way you can be a fan of war. What it is today does not resemble the romanticized version of the 20th century. Crafty starting pitchers, dependable iron men, and iconic managers have given way to bullpen games, DH mvps, and analytics. You’d be better off watching Ken Burns documentaries, 30 for 30s, and game 7 of the 1991 World Series to understand what made it incredible. The 21st century has added very little to its legacy save the incredible Boston comeback against the Yanks in the ALCS and Ichiro challenging Pete Rose for the greatest hitter of all time. Ohtani is incredible, but Theo has literally shortened the base paths and taken away pitchers’ ability to hold the runner to make the 50/50 thing possible.

I wish to understand why it was great and how it has changed, so thanks for the suggested starting points.

[Jorge]

I'll try and post more later on this...

But baseballs greatest strength can be it's greatest weakness. It can be slow, and even boring. But as pointed out, this is a great time to see how that becomes a strength. Just the absolute tension of waiting for each pitch in an important moment is unparalleled in sport for me.


Also, and this will seem silly, just go watch highlight reel catches on YouTube to get a sense of just the excitement the game can have.

Excellent, yes, the highlight reel catches compilations is exactly the kind of bite-sized entry point I'm feeling around for. Do you have a favorite?

[Simple Torture]

You happen to be jumping in when perhaps the greatest baseball player of all time is playing, so—I can’t believe I’m saying this—be sure to watch Dodgers games this postseason. You don’t necessarily have to root for them, but it’ll be worth your time.

Tell me more. Why the Dodgers?

Ohtani is just at another level; unfortunately, not pitching this year. But if you’ve got a chance to watch the best, you should. It’d be like if someone asked about watching basketball in the ‘90s—of course you’d watch the Bulls.

[Simple Torture]

There are probably going to be a few Colombian players in the postseason if you want to follow them as it goes along. The Mets and the Braves are playing a double header today to decide the last playoff spot—one of the Mets starting pitchers, Jose Quintana, and the Braves’ third basemen, Gio Urshela, are fellow Colombians.

[E.H. Ruddock]

Check out the Korean Baseball league. Especially their cheerleaders.