Ben Lindbergh talks to Portia, a superfan of Shohei Ohtani who runs a popular fan account. They discuss Ohtani's popularity, following him from 15 time zones away, the mysteries surrounding him, his non-baseball friendships, love for biking and the beach, and the active show hay community. The hosts also explore their passion for uncovering the lives, burial sites, and hidden stories of deceased baseball players.
Shohei Ohtani is not only a talented baseball player but also showcases a playful and silly side, excels in school, and takes on leadership roles.
Being a Show Bei (Shohei Ohtani superfan) entails creating and sharing content related to Ohtani, joining fan group chats, and exploring the fandom beyond baseball.
Sam Gage Jack, a baseball obituaryist, uncovers the untold stories of deceased players, pays tribute, and ensures recognition through initiatives like grave marker projects.
Deep dives
Portia's Insights into Otani
Otani has a playful and silly side, he is very good at drawing and has good handwriting. He is also known for being smart and excelling in school. Portia believes he has a caring and polite personality and takes on leadership roles, as evident in his involvement with the WBC. Otani enjoys the beach, sailing, and desserts, and he appreciates fans interacting with him beyond just his baseball career.
Portia's Show Bei Experience
Portia mentions that being a Show Bei is exciting and accommodating. Show Bei's are friendly and supportive, and they enjoy sharing and creating content related to Otani. Portia recommends following Otani YouTubers, checking out Otani TikTok videos, and joining Show Bei group chats for a deeper dive into the fandom.
Sam Gage Jack: Baseball Obituaryist and Grave Marker Project
Sam Gage Jack is a baseball obituaryist and the founder of R.I.P. Baseball. He got into this unique line of work through his love for baseball and history, and his passion for storytelling. Sam joined the SABR (Society for American Baseball Research) community and discovered a niche for writing about deceased baseball players. His goal is to go beyond the basic statistics and facts, and uncover the stories and lives of players who may not have received much recognition or attention. Sam's work as a baseball obituaryist allows him to pay tribute to these players, provide closure, and make their legacies known to a wider audience.
The Grave Marker Project
Sam also chairs SABR's 19th Century Baseball Grave Marker Project, which focuses on placing grave markers for 19th century ballplayers who may have been buried in unmarked or neglected graves. The project aims to highlight and honor these players' contributions to the game and ensure they receive the recognition they deserve. Sam, along with other researchers, works tirelessly to locate the burial sites of these players and provide a final resting place that reflects their significance in baseball history. Their efforts extend to not only Major League players but also include Negro League players and All-American Girls Professional Baseball League players.
Discovering Forgotten Stories
Sam's work as a baseball obituaryist has allowed him to unearth many compelling stories of players who have passed away. One example includes a player named Tom Waddell, who pitched for the Cleveland Indians in the 1980s. Tom's unusual journey to the majors, which involved an unconventional signing process and struggles with injuries, intrigued Sam. By delving into newspaper archives and conducting research, Sam was able to piece together Tom's story and bring attention to a relatively unknown player. These stories often resonate with family members who appreciate learning more about their loved ones' lives and contributions to the game.
Ben Lindbergh talks to Portia, proprietor of super-popular Shohei Ohtani fan account @shoheisaveus, about her Ohtani superfan origin story, life as a self-described “Shobae,” Ohtani’s popularity compared to other athletes and celebrities, following Ohtani from 15 time zones away, stanning a private person, the many mysteries of Ohtani, where the Shobaes would prefer for Ohtani […]
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