I like baseball, though I don't follow it like I used to. I watch the occasional game, but mostly I watch the ALCS and the World Series. I am as disappointed as the next guy about the steroids scandal, and am curious about the outcome, now that Congress is involved. But I am struck by one salient thing, seeing Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte on TV in the halls of Congress: these guys are huge! They both tower over their entourage of lawyers, often by at least a head or more. You don't really notice, watching them in a game, but Clemens is 6'4", and Pettitte is 6'5". Did they play basketball as youths? Add to that the 10 inches of the pitcher's mound, and they must have a commanding view during games. Is there an advantage to being a tall pitcher? Anyone know?

Top of the fourth inning in the World Series. Beckett pitches to Atkins, and he fouls it down the third base line. The ball lands in the stands, and is caught by a guy in a red hoodie, who then holds it up over his head, and all the folks in that section dutifully clap for him.

And it makes me think. People who sit in foul territory probably get to catch (or the opportunity to catch) more balls than people sitting in home run territory. But the balls are less prestigious, of course. There must be an interesting subculture there, the sort of thing Ira Glass would cover.

I'd like to read/listen to that story. Someone?