American Baseball Metaphors

It is widely acknowledged that American English is lousy with baseball metaphors, from Meatloafs heartrending account of his fight from first base to home, to dark horse candidates coming "out of left field," but as a Third-Culture Kid and self-styled permanent expatriot, I tend to think of myself as above the fray, at least in that respect.

Not so! Two weeks ago, I was a click away from thanking someone for "going to bat for me," and just now I wished someone luck with "the home stretch."

Interested in playing the field tonight? No thanks -- I'll take a rain check.

Oi vey!