Courtesy of the Niagara Gazette
By Doug Smith
To baseball insiders, “this team looks good on paper” is no compliment.
But this week the sport itself looks good on paper, and it is.
Four magnificent baseball portraits – Joe DiMaggio, Larry Doby, Willie Stargell and Ted Williams – hit post offices this weekend.
And John Grisham’s lovely baseball novel “Calico Joe” is just hitting its stride.
Stamps first, since they cost as little as 45 cents and “Calico Joe” lists at $25.
Periodically, the Postal Service honors the sport with first-class stamps, such as the “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” centennial of 2007 and the 2010 Negro League series, intricately drawn.
Now come “Major League All-Stars.” DiMaggio and Williams seem obvious, even if Base Paths’ daughter did one night ask him, loudly, in a full stadium, “Who’s Ted Williams?” Doby broke the color barrier in the American League; boy Base Paths once shared a short train ride with him. Stargell? Can’t figure it out, although he does happen to be the only National Leaguer in the group.
The critera is strict. Stamps may honor only those deceased a certain length of time – 10 years, we believe – and none save Presidents and founding fathers can be honored a second time. There was a Roberto Clemente stamp many years back. So maybe nobody else fit. Nominations, anyone?
The stamps should hit your local post office Saturday. The Philatelic Service (1-800-782-6724) has a whole catalogue of first-day covers and similar souvenirs peculiar to the hobby. Most sales will involve $9 sheets of 20 depicting all four honorees, but full panes depicting each, separately, are also available, without precedent in the Service’s history. Stamp up to the plate.
As for “Calico Joe,” Base Paths finds firmly in favor of this near fable by Grisham, better known for his writings on matters of the legal system, such as it is.
It tells of a nearly mythical ballplayer, Joe Castle of Arkansas, next to whom Roy Hobbs would look like a utility infielder. Castle is tearing up the league when fate intercedes in the hands of an ill-tempered journeyman pitcher, mediocre on the mound, a failure in life.
There is indeed a bit of legality involved as Grisham explains, with admirable detachment, the codes of the game. Base Paths doubts the plausibility of the conclusion but caved in to it anyway, particularly Castle’s last, wry observation to his nemesis, truly touching.
Base Paths wondered why Grisham assigned Castle Number 42, as that number is now universally retired as a tribute to Jackie Robinson. In the epilogue, Grisham explains why. He really cares. And so should you. If mailing it as a gift, try to slap a few All-Star stamps on it.
Signal back to Base Paths, pollyndoug@hotmail.com
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