Baseball Cards vs Monsters Manual

The next installment of my ongoing biography.

Ken Griffey Jr.  

6’3” 205lbs, Seattle Mariners, CF

56 HR, 147 RBI, 15 SB, BA .304                                    

Son of Ken Griffey. Played in the MLB from 1989 to 2010

      VS

A Griffon

8’ Long 25’ wingspan 500lbs, Neutral

59 HP, Att 2D6 +4, Str 18, Dex 15

Large magical beast with the body of a lion and head of an eagle

 I was one of many kids who grew up collecting baseball cards. The excitement of opening up a new pack, looking for the players you knew and comparing all of the statistics. Trading them with friends.

 I was also one of many kids who secretly played Dungeons and Dragons. Mostly I was obsessed with the Monsters Manual.  A book filled with illustrations of all kinds of creatures and monsters dreamt up by many different artist and drawn in all different styles. Complete with tons of attributes and information about each creature.

These two things strike me as an interesting comparison. They are both images and statistics. Something to look at and something to compare and memorize.  Yet a Venn diagram of who was into these I suspect would have little overlap.

This brings us to the main difference. Reality vs Fantasy. Baseball is based in reality, photos of real people that you could go and see or watch on TV. Baseballs story is one that you have no control over. You watch it unfold over the years and it is the same story for everyone. The Monsters Manual is fantasy. Illustrations with different styles of fantastical and obscure creatures that were open ended. Building blocks for you to create your own story. Each adventure was unique to you and had only the limits of your imagination.

So despite their similarities the jock vs nerd war raged on. 

I think everyone gravitates towards either reality or fantasy. Personally, while I still enjoy playing sports, fantasy is much more compelling. While I was secretly looking through the Monsters Manual and sketching dragons, social pressures kept me in the baseball card section of the comic book store. I would have enjoyed the comic books much more. How do I know? Because I am making up for lost time now and comics are my favorite story-telling media.

So don’t make my mistake as a kid. If you are interested in something explore it.

As far as who would win Ken Griffey Jr or a Griffon, the answer: They wouldn’t fight. Ken Griffey Jr is lawful neutral. He would ally with the Griffon and together they would dominate the outfield.  Now that is a comic book I would read; 90’s baseball players team up with mythical creatures to fight for the World Series.

Reality or fantasy? Which do you gravitate towards? Leave a comment