11/21/24
January 21, 2006
Safe at home.: It was a small thing really, barely bigger than a credit card, tucked unpretentiously in a small black case. For each of the 52 American hostages who bounded off the plane, free at last, the ticket stuffed inside the box was another of the trinkets that piled up around them. A modest reward for the cold, metal muzzle of a shotgun pressed against their faces. The WaPo looks at the lifetime pass that MLB gave to the 52 survivors of the 444 day Iran hostage situation that ended twenty five years ago. (via the Sports Law Blog)
posted by Ufez Jones to baseball at 12:22 PM - 8 comments
That was something. I had no idea they had been given those passes. Somebody currently at MLB needs to remember things like that pass and why baseball was once "America's Pastime." It isn't too late for that sport to recover fans.
posted by ?! at 02:31 PM on January 21, 2006
That's a really nice piece - nice that it was done in an understated way to benefit the hostages, not MLB's publicity machine.
posted by JJ at 02:50 PM on January 21, 2006
It's interesting that none of the stories in the article talked about the people with the lifetime pass attempting to go to sold-out games (like NY/Bos, SF/LA or playoff/World Series). I wonder what would have happened then? If the home team had any brains, they'd honour the pass and give them a seat in one of the luxury boxes (if they couldn't find one in the stands).
posted by grum@work at 03:03 PM on January 21, 2006
I had the exact same thought, grum. I imagine that all stadiums have special seating for surprise guests (dignitaries, corporate overlords, etc.), but I'd love to see some confirmation and details on that.
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:14 PM on January 21, 2006
I think you get put in one of the standing areas.
posted by yerfatma at 06:25 PM on January 21, 2006
Somebody currently at MLB needs to remember things like that pass and why baseball was once "America's Pastime." That's a really nice piece - nice that it was done in an understated way to benefit the hostages, not MLB's publicity machine. Perhaps MLB does remember, and does stuff like this all the time, but doesn't over-publicize it because it would be distasteful. Thanks for posting this, Ufez. It's a keeper.
posted by BullpenPro at 08:03 AM on January 23, 2006
Wonderful read, UJ. Thanks.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 09:16 AM on January 23, 2006
Great story. Thanks.