Why Baseball is Better

Over a decade ago, longtime brilliant baseball columnist for the Washington Post, Thomas Boswell, authored a chapter in one of his books entitled "100 Reasons Why Baseball is Better Than Football." I don’t remember many of the specifics, and I think my brother still has my copy of that book. But as the years wisp by, I’ve been anxious to write something similar. At the risk of offending hoops and gridiron fans (many of whom include my friends and myself), here goes nothing.

I love basketball (even play it twice a week), but several trends have compromised my ability to sustain my love for watching the pro game.

The baseball season has more games, which makes the regular season long, but more significant.
Less playoff teams in baseball. Basketball is like hockey.
Baseball is played in the summer. (Yeah, I know. Spring and Fall too.)
No clock in baseball. You can be down 50-1 and still have time to catch up (however unlikely it is)
Baseball has more strategy and situations. (Dispute this and you’ll be deluged with facts, my friends.)
The slam dunk is the most overrated physical act in all of sports. What’s so tough about a 6’10" guy (or 6’3" for that matter) dunking a basketball?
The three-point line. Lets pull up for a "three" instead of a layup. Now THAT is playing the percentages, isn’t it?
Trash talking. When Matt Williams (thirdbaseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks) makes a diving stab, he gets up, brushes off the dirt, and goes back to his position; not a peep or grin out of him. NBA players could learn from this guy.
Minor leagues. The NBA needs one (reasons outlined in a previous column). Besides, riding those dusty buses from jerkwater town to jerkwater town would teach these kids a lesson.
A 19-year old in baseball is a grave exception; in the NBA, it might become the norm.
In baseball, to reach the big leagues, fundamentals are required. In the NBA, they’re optional.
The smells of baseball ballparks (outdoor ones only). Too many to count, but put hot dogs and freshly-mown fields at the top of that list.
Baseball’s storied history, although not without controversy, is unmatched.

By far, football is the best TV sport because A) they all get to be on TV, and B) football’s popularity was conceived on television.

The baseball season has more games. (Granted, a 162-game schedule for football would be insane.)
Instant replay. If I could list only one, this would be it. (Note to instant replay proponents: Get over this "Let the alleged truth tell all" mentality. If you want precision, get a research grant in microbiology.)
Too much protection for the quarterback. (Wanna bet Vince McMahon’s XFL doesn’t protect his QBs?)
Baseball is played in the summer.
Nauseating celebrations after a meager first down, or tackle. This would be akin to a pitcher jumping up and down on the mound after a called strike.
(See the last two reasons under Why Baseball is Better Than Basketball.)

Just to be fair:

Michael Jordan played basketball.
Walter Payton played football.
The Green Bay Packers.
Baseball games are a tad too long, especially for the MTV generation.
Economic inequity in baseball. Some would argue that the other sports have too much parity. I vote for a compromise.
Baseball is less physical (Ty Cobb notwithstanding).
No halftime, hence, halftime shows (PAA-lease …)
Guaranteed contracts. Baseball has to ditch these.
Major League Baseball Player’s Union – by far the most wretched of all sports unions.
No cheerleaders in baseball.

I am a huge fan of the Big Three sports (in case you must know). But like George Will once said: "Baseball is like church. Many attend, but few understand."

Any comments, criticisms, or condemnations on this sports column or previous ones? Feel free to email me at andydan@milwpc.com