Now, here's a visceral statement that Dr. D can sign off on.  Ries Niemi cut out dozens of stainless steel figures that adorn the exterior fences of the ballpark.  Pictured is one of the eight cutouts that deliver, as you go down the sidewalk, a strobe-light capture of a pitcher casting a javelin, er, baseball.

This would be very nice art in any context.  But affixed as these silhouettes are, to the vaguely prison-like bars that protect the interior of the park, they evoke images of ... what?  

Images of Roman gladiators within, of course!  Like Jack Nicholson told Kim Basinger.  Death?  I don't know if it's art, But I Like It!

................

There is a certain element of society that finds sport very, very distasteful.  I used to argue with my (beloved) Ivy League brother about it.  The NFL is an imperialist metaphor for ground acquisition, you understand.... Well, that might not quite be the point here.  

Seattle's a funny town.  There was an ad in the local paper recently.  A certain column proudly declared lately, in a splash ad, that it had progressed beyond the idea of wins and losses in a sports game; he wants to chronicle how the athletes feel, is all.  A "Gentleman's" take on sport.  (That particular columnist enjoys sports battle.  We're all searching for our voices.)

No, what we need is to celebrate human courage, especially on the stage of struggle, even on the stage of war.  

War is horrible.  When some bad guy makes one necessary, we all sigh and weep.  But!  Men picking up guns and doing their duty is another subject.  They don't call it The Congressional Medal of "Honor" for nothing.  The military men, who right now protect the freedom we enjoy, understand "Honor" as well as you understand K/BB ratio.  Suppose there had been a couple of them in the audience at the Batman incident, with concealed carry permits?

What does "Honor" even mean?  I had to look it up.  ;- )  But honor is part of the fabric of their lives.  Ichiro's honor is so exquisitely hair-fine that it extends to the sincerity with which he prepares his armor, er, his glove and shoes.  To fail to ensure that his armor was prepared, that would be a breach of integrity and duty.  Ichiro has the true spirit of a samurai.  Same story, different version.

.................

Hopefully there will never be another war.  Then we can continue to outlet our natural capacity for self-defense in benign re-enactments such as baseball.  But let's be clear about the fact that manly violence, directed very carefully and honorably toward just ends, can be a good thing.  

You're not going to get any apologies from me, that baseball is a benign substitute for actual war.  I like the fact that baseball is vicarious - friendly - war.  There's a reason that Batman and The Avengers draw the crowds they do, man.  People admire warriors.  I want to see another Edgar, and I want to see him now.

Russell Crowe swinging a sword, bring him on, and hopefully I'll only have to see the fight in a movie.  Happy Felix Day.

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