RaiderLegend: 'There's No Crying in Baseball'

Astros Claim World Series Victory. Republicans Refuse to Concede Defeat.

Thank goodness the dirty art of bi-partisan American politics, and its fans, haven't infiltrated America's great past-time. Yet!

The Philadelphia Phillies got outdueled by the Houston Astros in a competitively entertaining World Series.

Even with the Astros 2017 cheating scandal still echoing through the halls of baseball, the Phillies and their fans have conceded defeat in this best-of-seven series championship. It's the American Way!

To acknowledge the winner of a competition, regardless of how you 'feel' about losing, demonstrates strength of character for individuals and teams alike. The better team in the eyes of some fans might not always win, but teams almost always adhere to the rules of the game, as well as the "spirit of sportsmanship."

If the Republican playbook ever leaks into sports, (the play which attempts to deny political opponents their victory by fraudulently crying an election was stolen), well If that play ever leaks into the beautiful arena of American sports the players and/or organization propagating the lie should be tarred, feathered and forced to:

A: pay a hefty fine

B: publicly admit to their false accusation

C: accept suspension or lifetime banishment from the sport

The classic saying "there's no crying in baseball" should apply to our politics. Professional ball players and those involved with the professional game have usually earned the right to be on the big stage after years of training and commitment to the sport. They appreciate the opportunity to compete on such a high level, knowing those they compete against have also climbed to play against the best.

Unfortunately, any Schmoe with deep-pocket funding and an 'art of the steal' philosophy can prostitute himself or herself to a political party and its supporters desperate to gain power.

We sports fans should be mighty thankful the arena of athletic competition features a "Show-Me" playing field and not a "Tell-Me" forum. A ballplayer must show his abilities to throw, hit, catch or run, on the playing field before ever standing in front of a podium professing how great he is or how great he is going to make his team. The truth in his ability to play the game can be seen by each and every spectator watching him compete. He either passes or fails the eye test.

Whereas an unappreciative Schmoe in a political race, more for himself than for serving any community, stands at a podium telling voters and supporters how great he is and how great he is going to make their community, country and lives. He promises to be accountable while feeding them hateful rhetoric and disinformation about his opponent and his opponents' supporters. He uses his words and 'art of the steal' ways in an attempt to sell perishable goods to customers starving for a change in their political diet. In the end, after he has siphoned off all their trust and support, both morally and financially, he is exposed for the charlatan he has always been.

It takes followers of a political Schmoe both time and faith to recover from being taken for a ride by a professional grifter and scammer. Twice the time if the scammer has built up a type of "pyramid scheme" where underlings keep the scam going.

For sports fans tired and frustrated from participating in elections, know that unlike the game of sports entertainment the game of politics affects the lives of those it purportedly represents. So, it is much more than a game of entertainment; it is a choice of governing leadership.

pol·i·tics

/ˈpäləˌtiks/

noun

the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power.

I remind you of what makes this nation so great for its citizenry.

Amendments to our United States Constitution protects most citizens right to vote for any political representative running in their local, state and/or federal elections. Not all countries, like those featuring authoritarian leaders, are as liberal determining which if any of their citizens are allowed to vote and for whom. And not all countries will indict and prosecute a leader who is proven to have committed a crime(s).

The 2022 United States Elections are Tuesday, November 8th. It is a Midterm Election in that it takes place midway through a President's four-year term. It is a general election held to elect government officials at the federal, state and local levels.

As of the writing of this blogpost, voting rights, unlike abortion rights, have not been rescinded or restricted in the United States. But today voting rights are in serious jeopardy, both by recent Supreme Court rulings and Congress' failure to enact new voting rights legislation.