With the Major League season being at the All-Star break and the 77th All-Star Game happening later today, I thought this might be a good time to give all the debates that are surrounding the Cubs a “break” and turn our attention to the Midsummer Classic and our heroes of yesteryear. Baseball is full of history, full of stats and full of characters that makes the game so intriguing to follow. Baseball is America’s Past Time, a game that has been passed down from generation to generation, it is a game our fathers taught us, it is where we learned the importance of being a part of a team, it is our sport and our passion. Let’s use Tuesday as the CCO Break, like a couple of weeks back with “The First Time” article that I posted. Let’s forget about for the rest of the day what is wrong and remember back to a time that was right….and think about the real reason we all became so passionate about our favorite sport.
Who are some of your favorite players? They do not have to be Cubs, although I would imagine the list will be filled with former Cubbies. Are you a fan of offense, or defense? Was it natural talent or heart that made you want to play like those guys when you stepped across the line? Who did you imagine you were striking out to win the World Series when you played as a kid in your backyard with your best friends?
Anyone that has been reading this site for a while knows that I am a defense and hustle guy….give me a guy with heart and I will show you a winner. So to no one’s surprise my heroes were Pete Rose and Ryne Sandberg….please do not hammer me about Rose, I was a fan of the player not necessarily what he has become over the past 20+ years. I also liked Johnny Bench….great heart and integrity….George Brett, Tim Foli and Rick Burleson….great gloves, Willie Stargell….probably the ultimate teammate, “We Are Family” and who did not want to be Reggie Jackson? Who would be on your All-Time All-Star Team?
For one day let go of the season, let go of what may or may not happen next and just think back to why you started watching baseball in the first place and remember to have fun….isn’t that waht baseball is all about?
Enjoy the game tonight.