In The Stands Newsletter



My Hero Was a Lie

I have really been excited by the recent play of the O's and while I haven't been to many games this year
I was really looking forward to next weeks game with the Cubs because my hero is coming to town.
The O's are my favorite baseball team but Sammy Sosa is my favorite player.
Sammy was everything that was right about baseball and more. He just came to play and astounded us all.

So I watched the O's game last night vs. the Astros and it was a great game.
The O's were down, and then they came roaring back, only to lose in the same fashion,
but it was fun to watch because the Orioles have seemingly come out of nowhere to compete.
That is one of the great things that I love about all sports that any player at any given time
for no particular reason can step up and make a difference in the game. Sure the best players have the stats
and get the notoriety but the little guy can make a difference out there and we all love the little guy or the underdog.
This gives us all hope in life that maybe we can make a difference and occasionally make the winning play.

So how could it be that one of the biggest winners of recent memory be a cheat?? Why did it have to be him??
Sure if Sammy was one of those guys we all hated I could handle it but not him not Sammy (I Hit the Ball) Sosa.
How could it be that a Baseball Legend could also be a double dealer?? Was it all a lie??
With a smack of a corked bat, two hops, and a smile, could he have fooled us??
It doesn't really make a difference now does it?? It does to me and maybe that's why
I'm having such a hard time with this. My father always told me that Cheaters Never Win and Winners NEVER CHEAT.
I thought Sammy Sosa was a Winner. Cheaters do something else. They hurt, not just themselves but all of us.

Baseball is a game in its purest form right?? But why do we still play??
We play the game for the Thrill of Competition though sometimes we suffer through the Agony of Defeat.
I hate to lose but - then - I - pick - myself - up - and - get - back - in - the - race-That's Life!
We play the game because if all we relied on in life was pedigree we would have no
motivation to reach our true potential. We play the game because we all need a challenge
and Cheating destroys that possibility. Cheating destroys the notion that hard work and
dedication will help you achieve your dreams. We can't teach our kids that cheating is acceptable.
We all hope and strive for a level playing field. Sure Cheating doesn't always work but once
you done it and gotten away with it your living in a house of cards that is destined for collapse.

I'm not sure how old I was when I discovered there was no Santa Clause.
When I found out that it was Mom and Dad the good news was that I was still getting all of my gifts and
Christmas would be the same. Today I discovered there was no Santa Clause, the holiday was canceled,
and we were never to talk of him again. I just want to cry. My hero was a lie.

Jimmy The Man
who still feels like a kid

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