“All I’ve ever been is a simple baseball man, but it’s never ceased to amaze me how so many far more accomplished people I’ve met in this life wanted to be one, too.” Don Zimmer died after spending 66 years as a key fixture and great character in the game of baseball.

+ The Economist on Soccer/Football: Beautiful game, dirty business.

+ The World Cup is the biggest single sporting event when it comes to the television audience. But what about when it comes to attendance. Here’s a chart of who attends what, and another reminder of just how big American football has become.