The Star-Spangled Banner, played before every baseball game, has become so tied to the sport that an old joke asks, "What are the last two words of the national anthem?" and answers, "Play ball!" Michael Dwyer/AP hide caption
Yasmani Grandal is swarmed by teammates after hitting a walk-off single to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. But commentator Frank Deford wonders why "walk-off" has become such a ubiquitous term. Gregory Bull/AP hide caption
Commentator Frank Deford advises the White House press office not to let the president be photographed in a golf cart again. Steven Senne/AP hide caption
Between innings, racing sausages entertain Milwaukee Brewers fans. Christian Petersen/Getty Images hide caption
A judge recently ruled players should be paid for having their likenesses used in video games. EA Sports hide caption
Commentator Frank Deford says part of why we can't do away with college sports is history. Football and basketball have always been tied to college. AP hide caption
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at a press conference in May. Goodell's handling of concerns about concussions and controversies surrounding players has led commentator Frank Deford to wonder whether Goodell is up to the job. David Goldman/AP hide caption
In spite of mounting pressure to change the Washington Redskins' name, team owner Daniel Snyder seems to remain unmoved. Nick Wass/AP hide caption
Charles Dillon Stengel had been known as Dutch — derived from the German Deutsch. Only after the U.S. went to war was Casey Stengel born. AP hide caption
American golfer Michelle Wie was a child prodigy. As an adult, she might just be the best female golfer in the world. Tim Hales/AP hide caption
In sports, Americans only dilly-dally for crucial, life-affirming reasons: to allow commercials. L.G. Patterson/AP hide caption
Wisconsin's Traevon Jackson at practice for the 2014 NCAA men's college basketball tournament. Commentator Frank Deford says that, despite NCAA claims to the contrary, most college players are not typical students — "their job is to play a sport." Jae C. Hong/AP hide caption
Remodeling the National Stadium Mane Garrincha in Brasilia, Brazil, for the FIFA World Cup cost the Brazilian government $900 million. Eraldo Peres/AP hide caption
In a recent Pew Reseach Center poll, 61 percent of Brazilians said hosting the World Cup, which begins Wednesday in Sao Paulo, is bad for the country, because it has diverted money from public services. Nelson Almeida /AFP/Getty Images hide caption
Even if California Chrome wins Saturday's Belmont Stakes, most Americans are too disconnected from horses to flock to the race track, says commentator Frank Deford. Al Bello/Getty Images hide caption
Referee Mendy Rudolph officiates a Knicks-Pistons game in 1971. Refs often say it's best to go unnoticed, but an official who "makes a call with vigor and elan is really a beautiful part of the game," says Frank Deford. AP hide caption
Some critics have hedged their appraisals of Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant solely because his team hasn't won a title, says commentator Frank Deford. Eric Gay/AP hide caption
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and Comcast Corp. chairman Brian Roberts signed an agreement this month that secures U.S. broadcast rights for NBC Universal through 2032. Arnaud Meylan/AP hide caption
Fans outside Radio City Music Hall show support for their teams during the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft on April 25, 2013, in New York. Al Bello/Getty Images hide caption
Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling at a game against the San Antonio Spurs on Nov. 7, 2012, in Los Angeles. Mark J. Terrill/AP hide caption
Back in the day, people used to ask Frank Deford who he thought was the greatest boxer. Nowadays, nobody even asks about boxing. Getty Images hide caption
Frank Deford says there'll never be another Tiger Woods of any sport. Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
Paycheck Players: Love of the game may no longer be enough motivation for college athletes. iStockphoto hide caption