Play the Game

Michael Cox

Although I'm pretty diligent when it comes to keeping up with the events of the day, and am very aware of the incidents occurring recently in Atlanta, a related story came across the baseball wire that nevertheless jarred me:

The Atlanta Braves decided to play Friday night's game against the Philadelphia Phillies despite a shooting rampage that left 13 people dead across the city.

Turner Broadcasting System, which owns the Braves, said that while the company and team share the city's "profound sorrow" they felt they could best serve the community by playing the game.

This story was jarring not because the Braves decided to play, but because the author, among others, apparently felt the team had an obligation to consider not playing the game. The piece went on to mention that the Rockies (and Avalanche and Nuggets) did not play scheduled games after the shootings in Colorado. It may have been an unintended comparison, but it was there nevertheless -- were the Braves insensitive in playing their game?

In fact, playing the game may have been the best thing the team could do.

There's an unfortunate side effect to our wired world, that when a dreadful incident occurs we are not only get instant news, we are inundated with experts and analysts and pundits telling us how to think and feel about the happenings. The gravity of the occurrence is communicated early and often, and we are expected to grieve, no matter whether the incident occurred in our community, or our state, or our country.

Then, the media conscience turns onto those expected to make way for the grief, as if the only right way to mark a disaster is to cease any distractions so that our full attention can be turned to feeling the sorrow of the victims and their families, as if they were our own families. An especially stern finger is waved at those who would continue to offer diversion, as if such a thing is unnatural.

The problem is that diversion is most necessary in times like these. There was almost a full house at Turner Field for the Braves-Phillies game Friday, many of whom no doubt welcomed the chance to pry themselves away from the constant television and radio coverage and newspaper headlines reminding them of the grislier realities in their midst. Escapist? Not hardly. A remembrance of the victims was part of the pre-game ceremonies. As the fans poured out of the park and got in their cars at the game's end, news bulletins served to remind everyone that a city was scarred.

Players might find it hard to play, but so do bankers find it hard to do their jobs after a shocking event. Still, there is a job to be done, people looking for something that , as W.P. Kinsella astutely pointed out, is a constant through all the turmoil.

Any of us could die at any time, by any number of causes both natural and otherwise. When I go, the very last thing I want is for the world to stop and be forced to cry for me. Instead, take comfort in life's constants. Find joy in a movie, in nature, or in anything else that helps ease life's pain. Dedicate a moment of silence for me, if you must, or toss the first pitch in my name and hoist a beer high in my memory (I'm of Irish heritage, you understand) as you take in the contest.

But most importantly, play the game.

about the author

Michael Cox doesn't plan on shuffling off this mortal coil soon, but if he does he'd like his official MLB rule book given to someone who really needs it. Have Terry Tata give him a shout.