Marc Spitz

I’ve watched every Yankee game this season. On TV, not at the stadium. I was writing a book, not blowing the money from a publisher’s check, so it was strictly Yes network and occasionally Fox or ESPN. Sometimes I watched it in the bar. Sometimes at home. When there was no game, I’d feel a sense of unease, especially during the heavier parts of the writing process and then, while working with my editor. It’s like unplugging your head from one channel (BOWIE) and into another, that’s how clean the come down was. I used to require pills and alcohol and sex to achieve same. Now all I need are the Bombers… maybe a Dunhill cig. There’s a line in my new play, which is getting closer and closer to opening (will re-link below) where one of the characters says, “I don’t know a writer worth a damn who isn’t a sports enthusiast of some kind.” He’s the old literary lion I sort of based on Sterling Hayden in The Long Goodbye. Still, I cannot count how many times this year that people have said to me “You’re a baseball fan?” Or, “You’re a Yankee fan?” Like I am supposed to hate all sports just because I own more than one Bauhuas record and wear vintage suits. I am only a writer because I am no good on the baseball field. I am sure that’s why Paul Simon (who is always in the stands) was a singer and songwriter. I doubt people ask him the same because of the whole “where have you gone Joe Dimaggio” thing. But fuck, man, I guess I must have been talking a lot about the Yankees this season because I swear a half dozen people gave me the “I never pegged you for a sports fan,” line and surprised look. Meanwhile, I have serious Yankee cred as far as people in my business go anyway. I was at the Stadium in ’76 when they played the Reds in the post season. First time live. I saw the Chambliss homer on TV. I’ve eaten Reggie bars. I played “Paradise By the Dashboard Light” just to hear Phil Rizzuto. I even thought Mickey Rivers was bad ass. And I cried when Thurman Munson died. I stood on line for two hours to get a Mantle autograph at a baseball card convention (he spelled my name right, with a C and not a K, but for some reason wrote “Bess Wishes” and not “Best”). Anyway, the Yankees clinched the AL East tonight and such happy events are among the few things that have ever made me smile with genuine happiness. Plus, A-Rod is going to turn his post season rep around. I can feel it.

LINK:

www.upforanythingplay.com