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Tony Miksak

WORDS ON BOOKS by Tony Miksak for KZYX&Z-FM, 90.7 Philo CA
Airs Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 10:55 am, repeated Wednesday, Jan 17 at 1 pm

(copyright 2007 Tony Miksak)

Title: Sharing Feelings with the Sports Guy

(MUSIC UP) This is Tony Miksak with a few Words on Books.

In Thursday's local rag, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, sports columnist Lowell Cohn admits he's an "unapologetic Sports section fan."

So am I, for all the reasons he suggests, and more.

Like Lowell, I turn to Sports first, in any paper, except the New York Times, because who cares about the Mets, Knicks and Giants? That's the NY Giants, of course. We do care about YOUR-SAN-FRAN-CIS-CO-GIANTS! as enunciated over loud speakers at the bayside ball park on sparkling June afternoons, sail boats sailing, white balls bounding, sea gulls picking up the scraps, don't let me get carried away here.

Yes, the best writing is in Sports. They don't confuse "lay" with "lie" unless quoting a coach. They know the difference between the "number one team" and the best team. In Sports it's important if you're a righty or a lefty.

When athletes blow up with pride Sports knocks them down. When a coach (see: Raiders) disappoints, Lowell details the failure.

If newspapers covered politicians the way Sports covers athletes there'd be no need for term limits. Lie, steal, inject steroids, and you're out. If only.

In Sports, organizations are judged on performance. Success and failure is analyzed daily by bright, informed people who get paid to push the limits of polite conversation.

Why don't similarly bright and informed journalists hold businesses, corporations, foundations, governments, non-profits, neighborhood associations and all the rest to Sports section standards?

Let sportswriters write the editorials. We'd be better off.

* * * * *

I've been catching up with much-admired author Richard Ford, beginning with the first novel in his current trilogy, titled "The Sportswriter." However, my Post-it Note ® bookmark has been stuck on page 99 for weeks.

There is something wrong with me. I'm so tired of lost souls not my own. Reading Camus in high school about did it for me on the subject of anomie.

I respect readers who pounce on any new book by Richard Ford. I don't know why they do this, but they seem to be balanced, sane people.

I appreciate the skill Ford takes with his characters. I enjoy the sly humor that creeps into the text here and there. I'm oh so slightly interested in the state of his marriage, angst over the loss of a son, and the other mild events of his mild life.

Is it testosterone poisoning? What's wrong with me?

Like Ford's characters, Lowell Cohn allows he is "lost in life's confusion." I relate well to Lowell's antidote: "Sports redeem life. Sports make life clearer and more understandable."

This is the thing. I'd still rather read Patrick O'Brian or Jan Needle on naval battles in 1806 and be surprised that the leftenant has a feeling, than read a novel that's all about feelings and be surprised when anything actually happens.

I'm going to have a drink with the Sports guys. If they'll let me into the club.

(MUSIC UP) You can subscribe to the email version of Words on Books by writing to amiksak@mcn.org. Transcripts are available on the KZYX web site.

Notes:

Lowell Cohn's columns: http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=SPORT1002&Profile=1057

Richard Ford has published a number of novels. The three that form a trilogy are:

"The Sportswriter" by Richard Ford. Vintage paperback $13.95. ISBN 0679782108. "Independence Day" Vintage paperback $14.95. ISBN 0679735186. Most recently "The Lay of the Land" Knopf hardcover $26.95. ISBN 0679454683.

"The Sportswriter" begins: "My name is Frank Bascombe. I am a sportswriter." After that, it diverges greatly from "Moby Dick."

Two exemplars of nautical fiction:

Friend & excellent writer Jan Needle: http://www.janneedle.com/nautical.htm

Publisher W.W. Norton's page for the late Patrick O'Brian: http://www2.wwnorton.com/pob/pobhome.htm

Tony Miksak
Bookseller Emeritus & member, Board of Directors, KZYX&Z
read "Words on Books" at http://www.gallerybooks.com/bkm/index.html 

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