A Less Than Perfect Game, in a Less Than Perfect Place: The Critical Turn in Baseball Film

Document Type

Contribution to Books

Publication Date

2013

Abstract

He can't speak much English, but that's the beauty of baseball. If he can go to his right and hit the broad side of a barn, that'll do all his talking for him. — Big Leaguer, 1953

This reassuring voice-over, in reference to New York Giants minor league prospect Chuy Ramon Santiago Aguilar, sums up nicely fundamental tenet of baseball ideology: race, ethnicity, and cultural heritage do not matter. All are welcome to participate in the national pastime. All will be treated equally. All that matters is how one plays the game. Such has been the promise of America, as well, articulated in the values and aspirations of this, its national pastime.

Copyright Statement

From The Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture, 2011 -- 2012, © 2013. Edited by William M. Simons, used by permission of McFarland & Company, Inc., Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640. www.mcfarlandpub.com.

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