An Intellectual History Of Grit (For Real)
A favorite topic of some RR members, always brought up ironically, of course, has attracted the attention of a highly respected member of academia. Intellectual historian Wilfred M. McClay has written a kind of short history of grit. No, he doesn't mention the Royals, or any particular Royal, or any recent baseball players for that matter. But he does trace how the term likely originated in America, much like our national pastime, and how it has strong democratic overtones.
Grit is a democratic virtue, the poor man's (or woman's) heroism, the common man's virtue represented by common stuff: by that granular resistance, that friction, that commonplace particulate material needed to hold the mortar together, that elemental stuff on which everything else in life depends. This collocation of meanings is not the least bit fanciful, and it is no mere coincidence. Consider the fact that the word sand had a similar meaning and usage in the nineteenth century, and was a favorite term of Mark Twain's; a person with unusual gutsiness and persistence was said to have "sand."
I think I first heard the term "sand" in Gangs of New York (the "sand of the Dead Rabbits"). I digress.
Anyway, it seems to me then that awarding the attribute of "grit" to a KC ballplayer is, at least in the eyes of McClay, a compliment of the highest order in America. Indeed, anyone having the appropriate quotient of grit is probably our most uncommon common ballplayer. ;) - TL
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I thought for...
…sure that this would be a hit. I can’t believe that almost 3 hours have gone by and nary a comment?! Wow, I’m persona non grata around here. – TL
I noticed
I thought it was going to be some stupid clown post like all the others, but it wasn’t. Still, I don’t care to discuss grit at any length, or trade quips about it.
Sorry
but I misread it as, “An Intellectual History of Gritty Freel” and initially gave it a pass.
But I was mistaken. Nice post. I’d vote for Frank White: he was truly the “grit” of the infield for so many years, and he turned in a career with a value that far exceeded anyone’s early estimation of his talents.
Also: Samuel Clemens, his jumping frog, and his innocents abroad can go pound sand.
by 2X2L on Jul 7, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
just for the record
I like this post and was the first to “rec” it
I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.
by Matt Klaassen on Jul 7, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I voted for Brett
Even though he was a truly great and talented player he also was the definition of grit. He played as hard or harder than anyone of any talent level in the game. Those were grittier days overall anyway than today.
Fuck This Team. Period.
The General Theory of Royaltivity
Shouldn't Freddie Patek be on this list?
He was short, feisty, white, hustled, etc…I think he fits the bill.
If we’re going for picking gritty, semi-decent players rather than joke nominees (Scott Pose, Craig Paquette, Sal Fasano, et al) or irony-based ones (Mark Quinn, Jeremy Giambi), then I think Patek’s the guy.
by mikewormdog on Jul 7, 2009 12:12 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
After 110 votes Grudzielanick is tied with Hal McRae?
shows how stats don’t reflect similarities, just because stats are numbers.
If they are tied for GRIT level, they are definitely different kinds of GRIT.
Grudgrit does not equal Halgrit.
Christ, you don't need a quadrophonic Blaupunkt! What you need is a curveball! In the show, everyone can hit heat.
Perhaps Grit made of differing rocks
Grudz more like grit of topaz?
McRae grit made up of tanzanite?
soon to change name to, "The Not So Curious Case of Benjamin Bratt"
by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on Jul 7, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
And apparently...
…MLB HOF grit (an oxymoron, considering McClay’s “uncommon common man” definition?) is different than Royals HOF grit.
GRANULAR RESISTANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
love that
soon to change name to, "The Not So Curious Case of Benjamin Bratt"
by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on Jul 7, 2009 3:48 PM EDT reply actions

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