Baseball's Wise Guys

Baseball aficionados come from a variety of places. Some grew up on the diamond and look to rekindle their glory days. (As Springsteen would say.). Others focus on the reams of statistical data gleaned from the game and dwell in Fantasy Land. Many use the sport to divert their attention from the day-to-day grind of real life. Another intriguing segment is the sports bettor.

I lived in Las Vegas for eleven years. An army of sports betting wise guys would trek from sports book to sports book in the eternal quest for favorable odds.

Gamblers shrewd enough to find favorable angles on the national pastime's obtuse trends would bet on baseball. Relentless statistical analysis combined with favorable odds paid off for a select few. The majority found that it added an entertaining dimension to a great sport.

Conventional fans root, root, root for the home team. The baseball bettor's cheering section begins and ends at the pay window. The perspective is different but entertainment is the name of the game.