More Than Just a Game: An Artful ode to Baseball
On Friday night, the Dodgers and Yankees will compete in the 2024 World Series, adding to the long and storied history between two of baseball’s most established franchises.
Prior to this year’s match, they’ve competed against each other eleven times, with the Yankees winning the lion’s share of the series, eight games to three. “Wait 'til next year!" became the rallying cry for lamenting Dodger fans in the aftermath of the team losing to the Yankees during the 1947, 1949, 1952 and 1953 World Series. In that span of time, both teams have had an extraordinary number of superstars, whose legendary careers are enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Baseball became “America’s Pastime” around the mid-nineteenth century. Documentary media including photography, film and radio broadcasting were all in their nascence during Major League Baseball’s early periods (1876 - 1901); but each medium captured the essence of the game’s history and enabled future generations to witness its lore.
One well documented event involved Jackie Robinson stealing home, to score a much needed run for the Dodgers in the 1955 World Series. The Dodgers were trailing the Yankees by a score of four to six during the top of the eighth inning. Robinson, who was one of the most fleet footed and athletic players of his era, stole home on a pitch thrown by Whitey Ford that was low in the strike zone. He was called “safe!” by umpire Bill Summers, but Yankees catcher, Yogi Berra, maintained that he put the tag on Robinson before his feet touched home plate. The Yankees went on to win the game five to six. Regardless, Robinson’s stolen base was a pivotal point in the World Series, which the Dodgers won in seven games. Upon ending their losing streak against their rivals, the Dodger’s slogan became “This IS next year.”
Contemporary artist Raymond Pettibon’s work frequently alludes to the nostalgia of baseball, which he channels into a distinct form of visual expression. Pettibon’s baseball references honor the achievements of groundbreaking players, while also calling attention to the dark-side of America’s Pastime. Or perhaps more apt, America’s other pastime: racial bigotry.
Impactful artists like Pettibon are both mythmakers and narrators of past and present accounts. His imagery is celebratory of the game of baseball, while also critical of how baseball culture echoes many of the sordid elements of society. He’s really adept at showing multifaceted perspectives, histories and identities within a single work of art.
The way Pettibon humanizes his baseball subjects, illustrates why it’s more than just a game. Baseball has been a catalyst for civil rights and social transformation. It’s both entertainment and enlightenment. It also has a very dark side, exemplified by segregation, gambling scandals, drug use (both recreational and performance enhancing) and violence.
Pettibon’s depiction of pitching icon Bob Gibson in mid-wind up is a profound example of baseball’s complexity. The visual is accompanied by text, including a quote by writer Henry James regarding New York City’s cultural assimilation during the turn of the twentieth century: “The fruit of a foreign tree is shaken down there with a force that smothers everything else.” I’ve interpreted this work as an allegory of Gibson’s adversity in dealing with racism and his perseverance as one of the greatest pitchers of all time.
The drawing also contains the words, “Lower the mound, change the strike zone…This isn’t a game. This is real life.” Gibson’s prowess on the bump led Major League Baseball to enforce the “Gibson Rules” (lowering the mound five inches, and reducing the height of the strike zone from the batter’s armpits to the jersey letters). Gibson’s aggressive approach on the mound coincided with the harsh reality of societal life off of the baseball diamond. Gibson has stated that the racial bias he was subjected to, fueled his drive to be the best pitcher in the sport.
Gibson is without a doubt one of the all time greatest pitchers. His career numbers are incredible, but his postseason and World Series stats are even more extraordinary. With the St. Louis Cardinals, he pitched in three different World Series, starting nine games. His record was seven wins and two losses. He had an earned run average of 1.89 and ninety-two strikeouts. The way today’s pitchers are handled (given somewhat strict innings limits and pitch counts), means there will very likely never be another pitcher like Gibson.
Speaking of the World Series, this year’s Dodgers versus Yankees bout is as much of a clash of the titans as the previous eleven series. And while I’m still coping with the fact that my beloved Amazin’ Mets came so far, but fell just two games short of being in the Fall Classic; I love baseball and appreciate a good competitive rivalry, which is exactly what we' should get starting this Friday, October 25th at Dodgers Stadium.
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