Baseball seems to violate the plural rule quite a bit, but maybe I'm misundertanding it's proper uses. For instance RBI stands for Runs Batted IN, yet when it's referred to by sportscasters they say RBI's (Runs Batted Ins). Who is correct here?
2006-07-03 04:01:21 · 7 answers · asked by bizprofession1 2 in Sports ➔ Baseball
To paraphrase Tom Hanks in "League of Their Own," There's no grammar in baseball! Not to mention all of sports. Red and White SOX? Oakland A's (no apostrophe needed -it's plural) And my all-time favorite, Toronto Maple Leafs (my Canadian husband could offer no explanation)
I believe that sports fans are supposed to suspend any reasonable expectation of correct language usage when they watch sports. Something about the rush of adreneline removes all language inhibitions... I just grin and root root root for the home team!
2006-07-03 04:11:00 · answer #1 · answered by Mama Gretch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What do you call an individual player from the White or Red Sox? A Sock or a Sox?
I've never heard anyone dumb enough to say "Runs Batted Ins"... They just pluralize the abbreviation as if it is its own word. Hey, I'd rather say RBIs than Runs Batted In every time...
2006-07-03 05:32:22 · answer #2 · answered by Baseball Fanatic 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grammar is generally suspended when a word becomes a proper name. It would stop being modified as a noun (which may require spelling changes) and becomes modified as a name, which would mean no spelling changes, just the addition of an 's', or 'es'. The grammar police lady had the perfect example-The Maple Leafs. What I find odder is team names like "The Heat". What do you call an individual player-"A member of 'The Heat'"? A 'Heat' or a 'Heater'? In any case, usage of "Marlins" is correct here as it is a proper name, not just an irregular noun.
As for RBI and other abbreviated stats, they are treated as one word for purposes of brevity and ease of pronounciation. "R's BI" just feels awkward (say it aloud)., although technically, it is more correct. Most acronyms are treated as one object, rather than as compound phrases, for similar purposes.
2006-07-03 04:56:17 · answer #3 · answered by Bartmooby 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's as correct as it can be when plurals like Red Sox, White Sox, and Astros (e?) are used.
2006-07-03 06:35:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is a Marlins
2006-07-03 06:36:56 · answer #5 · answered by mattdoggbball11 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ha! Good one!
2006-07-03 05:48:57 · answer #6 · answered by Dusty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh my, you're a schmuck
2006-07-06 21:33:42 · answer #7 · answered by Southie9 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋