The Useless Tree

Sports

  • How Could I Not Run This Picture….

                            And how’s this for a reflection on the long-term prospects of the Yankees in China – or the Chinese in Yankees: Ancient masters of Wayall subtle mystery and dark enigma… Continue reading

  • Yankees in China

         Here’s a story that captures a couple of my interests simultaneously, the New York Yankees and China: The Yankees consider themselves the most driven team in a competitive sport, so their push to boost baseball in China is… Continue reading

  • The Tao of Gators

        A commenter, "Dave of the Coonties," over at WaPo’s Achenblog, noted that I had not yet analyzed, from the point of view of Sun Tzu, the University of Florida’s victory in the college football championship.  I am happy… Continue reading

  • In the Zone

        As a Taoist Yankee fan I am a bit blue today (the color of the marvelously clear and crisp October sky this morning).   Even the most casual baseball fan is, by now, aware of the ignominious collapse this… Continue reading

  • Advice to A-Rod: Give up the Analysis

         For those of you who, like me, are Yankee fans, the tribulations of Alex Rodriguez are well known.   Here is a description from today’s NYT:  This season, he is batting .279 with 26 homers and 93 runs batted… Continue reading

  • Baseball Fate

         I just have to take a moment to recognize a great moment in the storied history of the New York Yankees: a five game sweep of that other team from a northeastern city, a series reminiscent of the… Continue reading

  • A Filial Yankee

         Not too many stories satisfy both my interest in ancient Chinese philosophy and my allegiance to the New York Yankees.  But this piece in today’s NYT, about the formidable Yankee pitcher, Chien-Ming Wang (or Wang Chien-Ming for purists),… Continue reading

  • The un-Way of Barry Bonds

         When we try too hard to reach a goal, when we push aside our humanity and humility, even if we accomplish it, we fail for succeeding.  That is the emerging moral of the Barry Bonds story.     … Continue reading

  • Mike Mussina: Almost a Taoist Sage

         Can’t resist commenting on this story: Mussina Finds Out That Less Can Be More.   When I saw the headline this morning I thought, great, another example of an accomplished sportsman following Way.  But not quite.      Mike… Continue reading

  • A New Season

        Aidan died on the last day of winter, the day before the first day of spring.  It was almost as if he was reassuring us that, with time, our grief would pass, the darkness would yield to light, we… Continue reading