In celebration of the fat ballplayer

"Baseball doesn't actually need defending. It's one of the world's great global games and is enjoyed in various forms by hundreds of millions of people every year. It's going to outlive all of us, I promise. But because of baseball's historical and cultural position in America, it is constantly subjected to a weird kind of forensic analysis that isn't usually applied to other sports: is it dying? Is it too slow?"

"I have played the role of baseball defender for most of my life. And I probably will continue to do so. I love baseball and I have a penchant for arguing; it's only natural that these two things are going to collide like a third baseman and left fielder under a pop-up."

"I still maintain what I've always maintained: that the vast majority of baseball players commonly thought of as 'fat' do not actually fit that word as it is typically used. I have spent years explaining to people that the baseball uniform itself makes the players look far more rotund than they actually are."

Baseball endures persistent questioning about its viability, speed, and appeal to younger audiences despite being a globally enjoyed sport. These forensic analyses reflect baseball's unique cultural position in America, subjecting it to scrutiny other sports avoid. Fans who love baseball often find themselves defending it against various criticisms, from concerns about player fitness to questions about competitive balance. The author, a lifelong baseball defender, has engaged in numerous arguments about player physiques, particularly regarding players like David Ortiz. However, after experiencing the emotional joy of watching an exciting Cuba-Puerto Rico game, the author decides to abandon certain defensive arguments, recognizing that baseball's true value transcends these peripheral debates.

Read at Over the Monster