04.13.08 -- Rules for Staying Young -- the Acrostic

Sunday, April 13, 2008

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ACROSTIC Puzzle by Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz

Several quotes by Satchel Paige form a “quotation” in this Sunday acrostic -- an acrostic that is a true delight!

“Quotation”: IF YOUR STOMACH DISPUTES YOU LIE DOWN AND PACIFY IT WITH COOL THOUGHTS KEEP THE JUICES FLOWING BY JANGLING AROUND GENTLY AS YOU MOVE GO LIGHT ON THE VICES SUCH AS CARRYING ON IN SOCIETY AVOID RUNNING AT ALL TIMES

Author and Source: SATCHELPAGEHOWTOSTAYYOUNG

Paige's rules originally appeared in the June 13, 1953 issue of Collier's. The version below is taken from his autobiography Maybe I'll Pitch Forever (as told to David Lipman, 1962):

Rules for Staying Young

"Avoid fried meats which angry up the blood."

"If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts."

"Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move."

"Go very light on the vices, such as carrying on in society — the social ramble ain't restful."

"Avoid running at all times."

"And don't look back — something might be gaining on you."

For more quotes from Satchel Paige, consult Wikiquote.

The defined words include more than a few baseball references; however, most are from outside the ballpark: SADAHARUOH (A. All-time pro home-run champ [2 wds.]); ASIMOV (B. Writer who coined the term “positronic brain”); TBILISI (C. Capital of Georgia); COWSHED (D. Place akin to a bullpen); HUNGJURY (E. Stalemate preventing a decision [2 wds.]); EGGROLL (F. White House event at Easter [2 wds.]); LIMPID (G. Transparent); PITCHING (H. Half of a battery’s job); ACCENT (I. Indication that might be grave); INNING (J. One of a sports ennead); GIRAFFE (K. Pride : lion :: tower : ___); EVASIVE (L. Dodger-like?); HOLYJOE (M. Chaplain in the military, in slang [2 wds.]); ONDECK (N. Next up [2 wds.]); WELTY (O. Short-story master from Jackson, Miss.); TENNIS (P. Activity that’s head-turning for spectators); OUTSIDE (Q. Announcer’s call at the plate); SOUTHPAW (R One with sinister predispositions?); TUCSON (S. Spring training site for the Diamondbacks); AUTISM (T. Rain Man’s medical condition); YINYANG (U. Black and white in harmony [hyph.]); YOYO (V. Go from first place to last and back to first, e.g. [hyph.]); OCCULT (W. Understandable only by the mystically chosen); UFOLOGY (X. The study of alient ships); NOHITTER (Y. Seven-time feat of Nolan Ryan [hyph.]); GNATS (Z. Target of some swats).

For those unfamiliar with Satchel Paige, there are several references that I might recommend, one is the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum at eMuseum, which I found to be of the most interest, also the Satchel Paige Official Web Site -- another is a YouTube of Satchel Paige on the mound, and finally, of course, Wikipedia.

All in all, another great acrostic from the minds of Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon with the approval of the master, Will Shortz

Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

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