Marra discusses similarities between baseball and politics

by Katie Silverman

Baseball and politics are quite similar, Dr. Robin Marra told students at the Presidency and the Press on Saturday.

Marra began by pointing out that baseball has been the national pastime, and that it is often very easy for presidents to get free publicity from attending these, since the sport is known and loved by so many Americans.

“Politicians take full advantage of baseball’s popularity,” Marra said.

Marra said, “Bush threw a perfect strike, and it drew the nation together (during the turmoil of the Gulf War)

He spoke about how baseball is a team sport, which often involves specific individuals rising above the rest to carry the team to victory, as Kurt Shilling carried the Red Sox to victory.

In politics, Marra said the party is the team, and the president is that individual player who may act as the face of the team and make a difference.

When 19 year old soon to be UNH student, Emeric Szep jokingly suggested steroids as a similarity, Marra responded, “Cheating is fair game in both.”

Marra will join the students at the Presidency and the Press again on Wednesday.