For the Love of the Game

BaseballBaseball is supposed to be fun. Millions of people play baseball and softball every year for sheer enjoyment. Of course, it’s a lot more fun if you’re winning or personally playing well, but those millions keep playing just for the love of the game.

Major league players, not so much. Naturally, they must be serious because there’s so much at stake. Still, few outwardly show that they’re enjoying themselves except on a walk-off or something similar, which is too bad because their enjoyment adds to fan enjoyment.

Fans may like the vicarious thrill of being associated with winning more than anything — the scream is always “We won! We won!” not “They won! They won!” — and they may admire…