Athlete Quote by Ben Lerner
“When I was a kid and we played baseball we used to use that "eye black" stuff sometimes - that kind of grease you put under your eyes to reduce glare or something. We only used it, of course, to look cool; it's not like we were any better prepubescent athletes for reducing glare.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, “Ben Lerner on Poetry and Play,” 2020
Recalling childhood baseball, the speaker notes eye black was used more for style than performance, highlighting youthful bravado over practical benefit.
In simple terms: Kids used eye black for cool factor, not performance.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge the fun of style without overvaluing its utility.
Themes
nostalgia
style
youth
performance
identity
Mood
playful
reflective
Type
anecdotal
cultural
When to use this quote
- school recess
- sports team
- fashion trends
- peer pressure
Key Concepts
cultural rituals
self‑presentation
perception
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you still use style to feel confident?
- How does appearance affect perceived ability?
A Different Perspective
Eye black offers minimal glare reduction; its appeal is largely psychological.
