New York Times

The new York Times

July 6, 2009

By Doug Glanville

One day in 2001, I stepped into the elevator of a Dallas hotel to share a ride with two brothers. The conversation was light despite what we were here for — an annual meeting of player representatives throughout major league baseball to sift through innuendos about the drug culture in the game and try to find an accurate picture. When the elevator stopped, the brothers slid out in unison, still exchanging pleasantries with me, an end to a long day of debate and discussion.

The New York Times
June 20, 2009
By Doug Glanville

Before they closed my father’s casket, I left him with a gift. After all he had given me, it was the least and best I could do. He passed away the day I got my 1,000th career hit, in the final game of the 2002 season, so at his side I left the ball from my milestone.

The New York Times

June 13, 2009

By Doug Glanville

When I first started playing professional baseball, I was told by my head coach in single-A, Bill Hayes, that I was being too formal in how I addressed the officials of the game. I called him (and others) “Coach,” and on the field I referred to all umpires as “Blue.”

The New York Times

June 6, 2009

By Doug Glanville

I haven’t spent a lot of time watching “MTV Cribs,” but I know the host likes to check the featured homeowner’s DVD collection for a copy of “Scarface.” Apparently, owning this movie is the key to street credibility (by “MTV Cribs” standards), and it is understood that the homeowner will play it for anyone who sets foot inside.

The New York Times

May 22, 2009

By Doug Glanville

Under no circumstances should you show up a baseball player. We hold grudges forever and we will...

Sure, it seems petty, but it’s what makes this game go ‘round. Beat me with your fastball or with your timely bunt with two outs in the ninth, and I will tip my cap to you. But do not ever ever, ever show me up.

The New York Times

May 5, 2009

By Doug Glanville

Alex Rodriguez is in a horrible spot.

Where do you go when, having focused your life on that one thing you can be the best at, you realize that because of choices you made things will never again be the same in anyone else’s eyes? After a decade of the world seeing Alex as the likeliest candidate to be the next “legitimate” home run king, it all went out the window.

The New York Times

April 17, 2009

Doug Glanville

When people ask me what I miss the most about playing professional baseball, …….

The New York Times

April 16, 2009

By Doug Glanville

The silence that covered the city of Philadelphia seemed out of place, given how passionate these citizens usually are. But the broadcasting voice of Phillies baseball (and NFL Films) left us on Monday, and all we have to hang onto is the memory of all those moments Harry Kalas brought to life in just a few sentences.

The New York Times

April 10, 2009

By Doug Glanville

After hearing about the tragic death of the 22-year-old pitcher Nick Adenhart, my heart skipped a beat. Although I never met him, I still feel close to the baseball family and his loss was the loss of a brother.

Earlier this year, I lost a member of my family to kidney disease. Kevin Foster, who died at 39, was also not a blood relation: he was part of the baseball brotherhood. We played together on the Cubs for a season and a half, but were more than teammates. Kevin was my doppleganger.

The new York Times

March 4, 2009

By Doug Glanville

Spring training has begun. It might be step one of a multiple-step program ...

Dreams start here. They also can end here.

But there is a beauty in the path to major league baseball that few sports can claim. It is the ultimate staircase — slowly, methodically, and with quiet momentum, you gain confidence with each step you climb. Because it’s such a slow road by sports standards, players have to learn to smell the roses at each stage, even if they’re covered in thorns.