Change, it is one thing that we can count on happening. Time passes and things change. This occurs in sports as it does every other realm of life. Yesterday evening, the news broke that Ichiro Suzuki, long time Seattle Mariner, had been traded to the New York Yankees.
I was shocked in a lot of ways to hear this news. I knew that Ichiro was in the last year of his deal but I didn't expect him to get traded, let alone to the New York Yankees for two minor league pitching prospects. Along with being shocked, I was also sad. Sad because he left the Mariners and also going to the Yankees. Everyone who knows me knows that I don't like the Yankees. I made reference to this in a post I made here several years ago. So it'll be weird and sad to see Ichiro put on pinstripes the rest of the season.
It's also sad because it's another reminder that players don't stick with teams like they used to. It makes what Chipper Jones is doing a rarity, playing with one team your whole career and retiring with them. Yes I know Ichiro played in Japan before coming to the U.S. but the M's were his one MLB team. He became synonymous with the M's like Ken Griffey Jr. & Edgar Martinez before him. In my three years in Seattle, I loved watching Ichiro play in the outfield.
I'm sure when he retires, he will go into the Hall of Fame. And when he does, he will go in as a Mariner which will be good. In the meantime, seeing him not in a Mariners uniform and not wearing #51 will be another reminder that things change and time moves forward.
Showing posts with label yankees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yankees. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Random Sports Reflections
Reflections during the middle of summer...
*Didn't write about it last week but briefly wanted to address the Robinson Cano/Home Run Derby event. (Full disclosure, I'm a Royals fan). A lot was made of the booing (especially by the national media) for Cano and personally I think it was okay. Ultimately, Cano should understand that words matter. When he said a month before that he would pick a hometown guy for the Home Run derby, that people held him to that. If he had never said that, I don't believe that he would've been booed as loud or even at all. Words are important and what you say matters.
*Speaking of words and actions, Dwight Howard. I don't think I've seen an athlete go from being so well liked to being so disliked over the course of a year like him. I'm kind of dumbfounded how a seemingly bright and talented young man has made that transition to being a guy that people want on their team to a guy that they don't. The way he has conducted himself the past year in Orlando is a great example of how not to act. I definitely think he needs a good, mature mentor to speak into his life. I believe that he's a talented player and can be a part of a championship team. But his attitude definitely needs working on for sure.
*The Linsanity is gone in New York. Jeremy Lin is going back to Houston. Couple of things on this development. One, it is interesting that Tebow comes to NY and then Lin leaves (just a funny coincidence). Second, I think this was a bad play for the Knicks. They could've had Lin back if they wanted him. And to be honest, they should've. He's a young, up and coming player who energized a city like no Knicks player in a decade or more. I think they will be hard pressed to capture that magic again with this squad. As for the Rockets, it'll be interesting how they will go. But if he can energize that team and fan base, it will make for an interesting situation in the Lone Star State.
*Didn't write about it last week but briefly wanted to address the Robinson Cano/Home Run Derby event. (Full disclosure, I'm a Royals fan). A lot was made of the booing (especially by the national media) for Cano and personally I think it was okay. Ultimately, Cano should understand that words matter. When he said a month before that he would pick a hometown guy for the Home Run derby, that people held him to that. If he had never said that, I don't believe that he would've been booed as loud or even at all. Words are important and what you say matters.
*Speaking of words and actions, Dwight Howard. I don't think I've seen an athlete go from being so well liked to being so disliked over the course of a year like him. I'm kind of dumbfounded how a seemingly bright and talented young man has made that transition to being a guy that people want on their team to a guy that they don't. The way he has conducted himself the past year in Orlando is a great example of how not to act. I definitely think he needs a good, mature mentor to speak into his life. I believe that he's a talented player and can be a part of a championship team. But his attitude definitely needs working on for sure.
*The Linsanity is gone in New York. Jeremy Lin is going back to Houston. Couple of things on this development. One, it is interesting that Tebow comes to NY and then Lin leaves (just a funny coincidence). Second, I think this was a bad play for the Knicks. They could've had Lin back if they wanted him. And to be honest, they should've. He's a young, up and coming player who energized a city like no Knicks player in a decade or more. I think they will be hard pressed to capture that magic again with this squad. As for the Rockets, it'll be interesting how they will go. But if he can energize that team and fan base, it will make for an interesting situation in the Lone Star State.
Monday, July 11, 2011
A Lesson on Selflessness With a Baseball: Derek Jeter's 3000th Hit
There are moments in sports that are special and historic. There are moments that happen spontaneously and others that build up to the moment. They are those "where were you?" moments. One of those happened over the weekend. Derek Jeter, shortstop and captain of the New York Yankees (a team which I cannot stand but I respect him), had his 3,000 hit. Going into Saturday's game, he had 2,998 hits so it was only a matter of time before he got to 3,000.
Going against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and starting pitcher David Price (who's originally from Middle Tennessee), Jeter got hit 2,999 in the first inning to set up his next at-bat and a shot at 3,000. I caught wind of it via Twitter and turned on my PS3 to watch it happen live on MLB.tv I somehow expected a hit. What I did not expect was a home run. Sure enough, Jeter hits a home run into left center field for his 3,000 hit. That was only the 2nd time out of 28 men to reach the milestone that it was done via home run (the other was Wade Boggs). Jeter ended up going 5 for 5 and winning the game.
To me, the cool part of the story came out later. Christian Lopez, a 23 year old cell phone salesman, was the one who ended up with the ball. He got the tickets for his birthday from his girlfriend. As soon as he got the ball, he was whisked away by security to the Steinbrenner's suite. When asked what he wanted in return for the ball, Lopez said nothing and was willing to give the ball to Jeter for free. Lopez did end up getting stuff, including season tickets in the Legends section (which is some big time stuff) for the rest of the season including playoffs, a couple of signed bats and jerseys from Jeter, spent some time in the YES Network booth and got to meet Jeter in person.
It's a cool act that Lopez did. There are a lot of people who have said he should have held onto the ball and sold it. There have been some who have even called him a moron for doing this because he doesn't make a lot of money at his job and has a lot of debt from school.
Personally, I definitely don't think he's a moron. I think what he did was a pretty stand up act. He looked out for someone else's interest ahead of his. It's a good reminder that those of us who follow Jesus should put others' interest ahead of ours. Lopez was rewarded anyway for his selfless act. For followers of Jesus, our ultimate reward is in heaven but we also get to enjoy benefits of serving Him now.
Hat's off to you Mr. Lopez. You made this anti-Yankee fan stand up and salute you.
Going against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and starting pitcher David Price (who's originally from Middle Tennessee), Jeter got hit 2,999 in the first inning to set up his next at-bat and a shot at 3,000. I caught wind of it via Twitter and turned on my PS3 to watch it happen live on MLB.tv I somehow expected a hit. What I did not expect was a home run. Sure enough, Jeter hits a home run into left center field for his 3,000 hit. That was only the 2nd time out of 28 men to reach the milestone that it was done via home run (the other was Wade Boggs). Jeter ended up going 5 for 5 and winning the game.
To me, the cool part of the story came out later. Christian Lopez, a 23 year old cell phone salesman, was the one who ended up with the ball. He got the tickets for his birthday from his girlfriend. As soon as he got the ball, he was whisked away by security to the Steinbrenner's suite. When asked what he wanted in return for the ball, Lopez said nothing and was willing to give the ball to Jeter for free. Lopez did end up getting stuff, including season tickets in the Legends section (which is some big time stuff) for the rest of the season including playoffs, a couple of signed bats and jerseys from Jeter, spent some time in the YES Network booth and got to meet Jeter in person.
It's a cool act that Lopez did. There are a lot of people who have said he should have held onto the ball and sold it. There have been some who have even called him a moron for doing this because he doesn't make a lot of money at his job and has a lot of debt from school.
Personally, I definitely don't think he's a moron. I think what he did was a pretty stand up act. He looked out for someone else's interest ahead of his. It's a good reminder that those of us who follow Jesus should put others' interest ahead of ours. Lopez was rewarded anyway for his selfless act. For followers of Jesus, our ultimate reward is in heaven but we also get to enjoy benefits of serving Him now.
Hat's off to you Mr. Lopez. You made this anti-Yankee fan stand up and salute you.
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