Odd, odd errors
The Nation published an article online yesterday called What's My Name, Fool?, by Dave Zirin, about the Big Business of sports. I can't really argue with his points too much, but it was hard for me to take his writing seriously. Here's why (and yes, it's minor compared to the overall point):
The problem with using the Brewers in this argument is that the current team didn't exist until the 1970s, and was called the Brewers not because of its affiliation with any particular brewing company, but because Milwaukee had a long tradition of teams named "Milwaukee Brewers"*. Before that, the franchise existed in Seattle as the Seattle Pilots. Technically, I suppose we're both right; the name "Brewers" itself probably does reflect corporate origins, but today's Brewers are a 1970s creation having nothing to do with any kind of "plant team". The Packers are a much better example.
You know what else irked me? This is the introduction to a book, and nobody bothered to correct the name of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA." It is not for God's sake called "I'm Proud To Be An American (Where At Least I Know I'm Free)." That just seems sloppy.
* Long history: The Brewers were one of the original teams in the American League at the beginning of the 20th century. They became the St. Louis Browns almost immediately. There were a bunch of minor league teams called "Milwaukee Brewers" for a while, then the Boston Beaneaters/Doves/Braves moved to Milwaukee and did not take up the Brewers name. In the mid-60s, that team moved to Atlanta to become the Atlanta Braves. In 1969/1970, Bud Selig and company bought the Pilots, moved them to MKE and named them the Brewers. I think I have that chronology mostly right. Corrections welcome.
As the popularity of sports rose among working people, factory owners began to see the benefit of establishing plant teams as a form of labor management. This synthesis bore team factory names that remain today like the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Brewers. The Chicago Bears, who trace their roots to Decatur, Illinois, were known as the Decatur Staleys, named after the A. E. Staley Company. Their first coach, George "Papa Bear" Halas, was a Staley manager.
The problem with using the Brewers in this argument is that the current team didn't exist until the 1970s, and was called the Brewers not because of its affiliation with any particular brewing company, but because Milwaukee had a long tradition of teams named "Milwaukee Brewers"*. Before that, the franchise existed in Seattle as the Seattle Pilots. Technically, I suppose we're both right; the name "Brewers" itself probably does reflect corporate origins, but today's Brewers are a 1970s creation having nothing to do with any kind of "plant team". The Packers are a much better example.
You know what else irked me? This is the introduction to a book, and nobody bothered to correct the name of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA." It is not for God's sake called "I'm Proud To Be An American (Where At Least I Know I'm Free)." That just seems sloppy.
* Long history: The Brewers were one of the original teams in the American League at the beginning of the 20th century. They became the St. Louis Browns almost immediately. There were a bunch of minor league teams called "Milwaukee Brewers" for a while, then the Boston Beaneaters/Doves/Braves moved to Milwaukee and did not take up the Brewers name. In the mid-60s, that team moved to Atlanta to become the Atlanta Braves. In 1969/1970, Bud Selig and company bought the Pilots, moved them to MKE and named them the Brewers. I think I have that chronology mostly right. Corrections welcome.
posted by Robert at
7:33 AM
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