In 1949, I saw a World War II veteran named Lou Brissie, who had nearly lost a lower leg in combat, pitch in the All-Star Game in Brooklyn. George Vecsey brissiebrooklyncombat Change image and share on social
I proposed abolishing boxing because it was bad for the brain, but boxers were generally so decent that I loved being around the gyms. George Vecsey abolishbadbox Change image and share on social
Hockey historians say the handshake dates to English settlers in Canada, who preached an upper-class version of sportsmanship in the 19th century. Soon, tough kids in urban and prairie rinks began imitating imagined dukes and earls of the old country. George Vecsey 19thbegincanada share on social
Night tennis began at the United States Open in 1975 with certain stars trying to beg out and certain patrons trying to dump unwanted tickets on scalpers. George Vecsey begbegindump Change image and share on social
I've seen elbows that broke eye sockets. I've seen a German goalkeeper just level a French guy. His teammates thought he was dead lying on the ground. This was in 1982 at my first World Cup. But a bite is outside any kind of contact collision: dirty foul play. A bite is a bite. George Vecsey bitebreakcollision share on social
When Casey Stengel was putting his mark on all four New York baseball teams, he came off as many things. I have to admit I never thought of him as anybody's uncle. George Vecsey admitbaseballcasey Change image and share on social
Most descriptions make Beijing sound overbuilt: not a blade of grass left. George Vecsey beijingbladedescription Change image and share on social
Fans all have their memories of pennant races, good memories, sick memories. George Vecsey fangoodmemory Change image and share on social
Baseball's postseason shifts from game to game because of starting pitchers and the geography of the ballparks. George Vecsey ballparkbaseballgame Change image and share on social
Many of the most successful coaches and managers have come from players who never reached the highest level. The one exception seems to be basketball, where many of the greatest stars at least tried to coach a team. George Vecsey basketballcoachexception share on social
