The events related herein are worthy of epic status. And you’re clearly the best man for the job. Don’t forget to drop Hollywood a line. It’s time for an updated tribute to the Golden Age of American Sport, now that we’ve had 40 years to watch re-runs of “The Natural”.
Thanks Paul great story. You still make my Mondays worth living for.
It's still the 1800s here in Texas. I think car dealerships have an option of opening on Saturday or Sunday but not both. I'm not sure because I haven't been able to afford a car new or used in a decade. Liquor stores must close on Sundays but you can buy all the beer and wine you want. After 10:00am. Used to be noon but apparently some of our legislature wanted a day buzz. As far as that Sunday liquor ban goes, I just stock up on Saturday. The law doesn't legislate drinking on Sundays just sales. Meanwhile bars and restaurants still sell liquor on Sundays. I don't get it. 1800s Texas. Hell, I can't even figure out the Astros.
When these laws began, they made some sense: give people a day off work BUT control what they are going to be able to do with that time. Not exactly benevolent, but the logic is straightforward. But as the tides of modernity have washed in, what's left of these laws just makes no sense, as you describe in Texas. Here in Illinois, we can't buy cars on Sunday...as a result of a blue law that passed in 1982.
To this day Blue Laws still exist in NJ. Should be totally illegal… Separation of Church and State in my opinion. In Paramus, NJ they exist. You can walk into a Shop Rite buy food but not some other items. In BJ’s wood was roped off. One excuse was traffic to not allow open stores which made Saturday (Jewish Sabbath) even more busy.
These are great examples, I am sure many other states have ones that are just as weird or even weirder.
Hunting on Sundays remains illegal in Pennsylvania, but there are some exception days each year, and apparently foxes, coyotes, and crows can be shot any day of the week.
I was really surprised to understand the prevalence of blue laws in our modern day. And to learn that what seem like easy votes to just get rid of them (the ones not even being unenforced) regularly fail. It starts to feel very silly, like somebody still wearing socks that have holes in the toes and heels: What are you getting from this anymore?
I had a local contractor up there whose living room looked like a zoo with many deer, bear & whatever heads all over. Was kinda gross actually. But to be honest I went to a shooting range once which was kinda fun shooting paper targets… not living species. Granted they eat venison. At least it wasn’t wasted.
When I lived in the Poconos I went into a gun shop with my neighbor who wanted to look at hand guns. They let her take it out back to test fire where we saw a guy skinning a baby deer. She says to him, “I thought there were restrictions on killing young does.” He says to her, “There are.” “So why did you kill it?” He says, “I didn’t realize how young it was.” “You sure you should have a gun in your hand if you don’t know what you’re shooting at?”
Case closed. Some hunters are idiots & I knew some living there 10 years.
I continue to find delight in just what kind of intricate stunts used to be possible in baseball. What we have in this story is closer to today's Banana Ball than anything MLB produces. I'm not sure if this is a dig or a compliment, but I think Bill Klem would be very proud of baseball today, and very satisfied by the way it's run.
When my family moved to Georgia in 1971, the blue laws prevented grocery and other shopping and alcohol sales on Sunday. In 1971, the Atlanta suburban county we were in was “dry,” so we had to go to a neighboring county for alcohol! In most states as time passed, malls were built and shopping was allowed on Sunday, albeit for shorter hours. We can now buy beer and wine, but not liquor on Sunday, unless in a restaurant. I’m not sure when it became permissible, but car dealerships being open and auto sales are currently allowed. This was a great issue, Paul! Meg
No groceries! That's a tough one. And it does seem like no liquor purchases on Sundays will be the one that outlasts all the rest, except maybe the car sales in the states that have that one. Thanks Meg!
The events related herein are worthy of epic status. And you’re clearly the best man for the job. Don’t forget to drop Hollywood a line. It’s time for an updated tribute to the Golden Age of American Sport, now that we’ve had 40 years to watch re-runs of “The Natural”.
The montage scenes of that fourth and fifth inning would be perfect for the medium.
Thanks Paul great story. You still make my Mondays worth living for.
It's still the 1800s here in Texas. I think car dealerships have an option of opening on Saturday or Sunday but not both. I'm not sure because I haven't been able to afford a car new or used in a decade. Liquor stores must close on Sundays but you can buy all the beer and wine you want. After 10:00am. Used to be noon but apparently some of our legislature wanted a day buzz. As far as that Sunday liquor ban goes, I just stock up on Saturday. The law doesn't legislate drinking on Sundays just sales. Meanwhile bars and restaurants still sell liquor on Sundays. I don't get it. 1800s Texas. Hell, I can't even figure out the Astros.
When these laws began, they made some sense: give people a day off work BUT control what they are going to be able to do with that time. Not exactly benevolent, but the logic is straightforward. But as the tides of modernity have washed in, what's left of these laws just makes no sense, as you describe in Texas. Here in Illinois, we can't buy cars on Sunday...as a result of a blue law that passed in 1982.
Great story Paul!
To this day Blue Laws still exist in NJ. Should be totally illegal… Separation of Church and State in my opinion. In Paramus, NJ they exist. You can walk into a Shop Rite buy food but not some other items. In BJ’s wood was roped off. One excuse was traffic to not allow open stores which made Saturday (Jewish Sabbath) even more busy.
These are great examples, I am sure many other states have ones that are just as weird or even weirder.
Hunting on Sundays remains illegal in Pennsylvania, but there are some exception days each year, and apparently foxes, coyotes, and crows can be shot any day of the week.
I was really surprised to understand the prevalence of blue laws in our modern day. And to learn that what seem like easy votes to just get rid of them (the ones not even being unenforced) regularly fail. It starts to feel very silly, like somebody still wearing socks that have holes in the toes and heels: What are you getting from this anymore?
It’s such an important aspect of life there the high school is closed when the season begins. A local church blesses firearms… really?
I had a local contractor up there whose living room looked like a zoo with many deer, bear & whatever heads all over. Was kinda gross actually. But to be honest I went to a shooting range once which was kinda fun shooting paper targets… not living species. Granted they eat venison. At least it wasn’t wasted.
When I lived in the Poconos I went into a gun shop with my neighbor who wanted to look at hand guns. They let her take it out back to test fire where we saw a guy skinning a baby deer. She says to him, “I thought there were restrictions on killing young does.” He says to her, “There are.” “So why did you kill it?” He says, “I didn’t realize how young it was.” “You sure you should have a gun in your hand if you don’t know what you’re shooting at?”
Case closed. Some hunters are idiots & I knew some living there 10 years.
Another great story, Paul. This slowdown game presaged baseball’s glacial pace, until recent moves speeded it up a bit.
I continue to find delight in just what kind of intricate stunts used to be possible in baseball. What we have in this story is closer to today's Banana Ball than anything MLB produces. I'm not sure if this is a dig or a compliment, but I think Bill Klem would be very proud of baseball today, and very satisfied by the way it's run.
When my family moved to Georgia in 1971, the blue laws prevented grocery and other shopping and alcohol sales on Sunday. In 1971, the Atlanta suburban county we were in was “dry,” so we had to go to a neighboring county for alcohol! In most states as time passed, malls were built and shopping was allowed on Sunday, albeit for shorter hours. We can now buy beer and wine, but not liquor on Sunday, unless in a restaurant. I’m not sure when it became permissible, but car dealerships being open and auto sales are currently allowed. This was a great issue, Paul! Meg
No groceries! That's a tough one. And it does seem like no liquor purchases on Sundays will be the one that outlasts all the rest, except maybe the car sales in the states that have that one. Thanks Meg!