Discussion: Philip Roth's The Great American Novel (1973), Part One

I just began reading Philip Roth's The Great American Novel.  Whether I will consider it the "great American novel" remains to be seen, though somehow I doubt that any text titled as such will actually succeed in earning the distinction.  It would be like a friend asking you: have you heard the "greatest band in the world"?  I would answer: why yes, I've heard recordings and seen live performances by the Beach Boys, Barenaked Ladies, etc. (given my mood on that day).  However, this friend was referring to the band with the name The Greatest Band in the World. I don't imagine I would be running out to pick up an album by this group (or, to show my age less, running in to my computer/smartphone to download their tracks.

You can earn the distinction or make it your name, but I wouldn't expect the two to overlap.

However, I have greatly enjoyed and appreciated the Roth novels I've read in the past, so I am going to give this one a try.  Having only read the first few pages, it is already clear that he has conducted serious research into baseball during the preparation for this novel and that he is experimenting with the narrative voice, which has initially thrown me a bit but promises to be rewarding if I persevere.  

As I read, I'm wondering: 

1. What criteria would make for the greatest novel written by an American and/or about America?
2. How does baseball impact the meaning of -- and my appreciation for -- this novel?
3. Has baseball's popularity changed between 1973 and 2017?  (In other words, could this novel be read today with more, less, or about as much interest/relevance as it was back then?)

That's all for now: very much introductory.  I'll report again once I'm further into the novel.