VOA标准英语2014--世界职业棒球大赛重返美国的核心

 

Baseball's World Series Returns to Heart of the USA 世界职业棒球大赛重返美国的核心

KANSAS CITY— 

Major League Baseball’s World Series is under way between the San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals. While the Giants have won the baseball championship in recent years, it’s been almost three decades since the Royals made it this far. The return of baseball’s championship series here to Kansas City has energized¹ baseball fans in the heart of the United States, while also providing an economic boost to area attractions.

Mark Martinez’s decision to arrive at Kauffman Stadium with his son McKinley seven hours before Game 2 of the World Series is a calculated move.

“We are here only because we have standing² room only tickets,” said Martinez.

That means despite the fact that Martinez paid almost $700 for two tickets, they don't get seats inside the stadium.  

He hopes that by getting through the gates first, they can find an extra space to watch baseball’s biggest game, in a town where it happens so rarely.

“It’s a once in a lifetime chance. The Royals haven’t been here in 29 years and might not be back in 29,” said Martinez.

For Martinez’s son McKinley, it’s the first time the Royals have reached the World Series in his lifetime.

“It’s everything.  It’s just so exciting because we’ve not made it to the World Series in 29 years,” said McKinley.

“Kansas City is in love with the Royals right now, and so are we,” said his father.

That love is on display throughout the city, even in its iconic water fountains, which are dispensing³ blue colored water.

Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, is among those excited for the home team.

“The atmosphere is so crazy. People are so excited,” said Kendrick. “It’s been a tremendous opportunity for the museum.”

Kendrick said the playoff games at Kauffman Stadium, and now the World Series, have been an economic shot in the arm to the local economy. Not only are fans buying more merchandise and memorabilia, they also are buying tickets for admission to his museum.

“I would anticipate that we will see a 25 to 30 percent jump in attendance over this time last year,” said Kendrick.

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum honors African-Americans who played in a segregated⁴ league - founded in Kansas City in 1920 - that formed as a result of racism⁵ in Major League Baseball and ended when Jackie Robinson took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers⁶ in 1947.

Kendrick said baseball fans might be drawn⁷ to the museum because this year’s Royals team - which few expected to reach the World Series - echoes the spirit of the African-American players in the now-defunct Negro Leagues.

“It is that story of the underdog rising to greatness,” said Kendrick.

“I expected them to get close, but I didn’t expect them to get into the World Series,” said Martinez.

For Mark Martinez, he hopes it won’t take another 29 years for his son McKinley to experience his next World Series in Kansas City.

“I think he’ll probably be back next year. If not, then the year after,” he said.

But there is still baseball left to play this year in a best-of-seven series that also will bring America’s favorite pastime back to San Francisco.

1 energized   

v.给予…精力，能量( energize的过去式和过去分词 )；使通电

参考例句：

• We are energized by love if we put our energy into loving. 如果我们付出能量去表现爱意，爱就会使我们充满活力。 来自辞典例句
• I am completely energized and feeling terrific. 我充满了活力，感觉非常好。 来自辞典例句

2 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

3 dispensing   

v.分配( dispense的现在分词 )；施与；配（药）

参考例句：

• A dispensing optician supplies glasses, but doesn't test your eyes. 配镜师为你提供眼镜，但不检查眼睛。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The firm has been dispensing ointments. 本公司配制药膏。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 segregated   

分开的； 被隔离的

参考例句：

• a culture in which women are segregated from men 妇女受到隔离歧视的文化
• The doctor segregated the child sick with scarlet fever. 大夫把患猩红热的孩子隔离起来。

5 racism   

n.民族主义；种族歧视(意识)

参考例句：

• He said that racism is endemic in this country.他说种族主义在该国很普遍。
• Racism causes political instability and violence.种族主义道致政治动荡和暴力事件。

6 dodgers   

n.躲闪者，欺瞒者( dodger的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a crackdown on fare dodgers on trains 对火车逃票者的严厉打击
• But Twain, Howells, and James were jeeringly described by Mencken as "draft-dodgers". 不过吐温、豪威尔斯和詹姆斯都是被门肯讥诮地叫做“逃避兵役的人。” 来自辞典例句

7 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。