Out with the crowd
The relation between baseball and Asian philosophies has often been noted. Casey Stengel said, “There comes a time in every man’s life and I’ve had many of them,” while Yogi Berra observed that “Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical.” Koans such as these keep us mindful of the endless cycles of life and base running, and of the fact that — to again quote Berra — “It ain’t over till it’s over.”
This photo shows our beloved visitors from Bhutan, the monks Lopen Netem and Lopen Gyem, at a San Francisco Giants baseball game.
3 Responses to “Out with the crowd”
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cristina on June 6th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Lopen Neten and Lopen Gyem always have the biggest smiles on their faces. It’s great to see them enjoying their extended stay here in San Francisco!
nico on June 6th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Glad you posted this–ever since I heard about their adventures, I’ve been trying to figure out how to tie in Kenneth Koch’s Ko, Or a Season on Earth:
“Meanwhile at the University of Japan
Ko had already begun his studies, which
While making him an educated man
Would also give him as he learned to pitch
And catch—for Ko was more than a mere fan,
But wished as a playing member to do a hitch
With some great team—something to think about
More interesting than merely Safe and Out.”
Besides, with the Giants as our team, fans MUST learn to be Buddhists. No attachments to first place.
bluehour on June 8th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Seeing those big smiles really warms my heart. I miss seeing them everyday at the museum though.