#886 Musings Beyond the Bunker (Tuesday March 26)
Good morning,
Sometimes, just reading something from the past—even if a bit kitsch—comes at the right time. It may both remind us of a time gone by, while also sounding remarkably fresh and applicable today.
A PRESCRIPTION FOR MEANING AND HAPPINESS OR JUST POP CULTURE PABLUM?
In the 1970s, the poem Desiderata made its rounds, showing up on t-shirts, posters, and magazines. It fit the “hippy dippy” culture of the times. People will say the words are “bumper sticker philosophy” or that this is too mushy and touchy-feely to constitute practical advice, or that this simply is pop-psychology. While all of that might be true, many of its injunctions remain instructive. Upon reading it again these many years later, I realized that it also contains much stoic wisdom.
The following poem was written by Max Ehrmann in 1933. Who says voices from the past don’t speak to us today? Please read it through slowly. Then, consider the march of time, from 1933 to 1973 to 2024…
DESIDERATA
“Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.” (emphasis is my own)
A CLARIFICATION OF SHOHEI OHTANI’S CONTRACT
Steve Fink clarifies the facts regarding Shohei Ohtani’s contract: “Your comment about Ohtani’s contract isn’t accurate. $680mm of his contract is deferred for ten years, so the present value is based on the interest rate in the contract. The MLB valuation of the contract was $460mm or $46mm per year, not the headline number of $700mm. It is $6mm more than Judge’s, but Judge is older, has a history of injury and has only played a full season twice and will have to soon become a DH due to his size (the history of players his size playing the OF for long careers isn’t great) and age. And, if Otani recovers from the surgery, you now have a pitcher and hitter.”
Steve is right. Much of the contract is deferred. Still, the valuation of $46 million per year still is tops in Major League history, but not that much greater than other contracts on a net present value analysis. Steve also is right that if Ohtani recovers from surgery well and even approaches his production as a pitcher in prior years, the Dodgers will have proven to be geniuses.
Then again, if Ohtani is found to be tangled up in a sports betting scheme with his interpreter, this could turn out to have been yet another disappointment and terrible move by the Dodgers. Remember Trevor Bauer?
OPENING DAY
While the Dodgers and Padres played in Seoul last week, in Major League Baseball’s effort to increasingly internationalize its reach, the “real” opening days for most teams are this week. Winter is over, Spring is here. Baseball is being played… Life is good.
Wishing you good cheer and happiness,
Glenn