In September, sports writer Dave Zirin released A People's History of Sports in the United States an examination of the history of the link between sports and (among other things) politics. The book -which derives its name from revisionist historian Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States- is equally as challenging to the established view of its subject matter. Zirin sees sports as much more than mere entertainment, he views athletics as a social experiment. According to Zirin, sports can be a ""fetter holding back the tide of change," or "a Taser, sending an electric jolt into the body politic."
Zirin takes on the myths concerning the creation of baseball and resurects forgotten heroes like Moses Fleetwood Walker, Babe Didrikson Zaharias and Kenichi Zenimura.
Zirin's book may seem stiched together at points, but it is a fascinating look at little talked about subject matter.
Politics and sports are strange bedfellows. At a recent Biden rally in Philladelphia, Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins drew louder applause than many of the politicos who also spoke. Other examples are not quite as charming. Zirin's blog, for instance, reported on crowds booing Sarah Palin while she dropped the puck at a recent Flyers game. ZIrin writes "Don't believe the reports that describe 'a mix of cheers and boos.' There was a mix all right: a mix of boos and piped-in rock music that was like (we have to say it) lipstick on a pig." Come to think of it, what is it with Philly atheltics and politicians?
In any event, Zirin both at his blog and in his books, offers rare incite into the melting of politics with atheletics.
for more info on Dave ZIrin, go to
http://www.edgeofsports.com/index.html
