Somebody Asked, So Here's My Answer

[Chris Shryock]

May 17, 2005

By Christopher Shryock


I was talking with a friend of mine in Cincinnati last week. Shannon called me seeking advice on a speech she was writing about the steroid issue in Major League Baseball. About 20 minutes into our conversation, she posed a question to me that I had...
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[mark_chalifoux]

That was one of the best articles I have ever read on this site. Great job

[Rusty27]

I second that. Well done!

[The Siskos Kid]

But do you LOVE sports?

[Mom]

You are a first rate writer and I enjoy reading all your articles. However, there is one omission in this most recent article that your readers should be informed about. I was the one who sent Dad upstairs to wake you so you could see the conclusion of the 1988 World Series. :-)

As the then family sports enthusiast, it was my idea that you see the conclusion of what was surely to be a memorable game. I'm glad Dad agreed and took the steps two at a time to wake you up. When the announcer called the name of Kirk Gibson as the next batter with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, down one run with a runner on first - I wanted you to see Kirk Gibson's confident, determined stride to the batter's box with his mind focused clearly on the job at hand. Kirk was visualizing a hit to keep the game going. In his mind he saw the pitch, heard the fierce contact of the bat on the ball, and saw the ball soaring into the outfield where no fielder could get to it quickly enough to make a play. He didn't see himself hobbling around the bases, he visualized that he was flying around them. For without a dream, without a plan, without determination, without belief there is no achieved destiny.

Destiny is a result of hard work, years of practice, desire to achieve when others believe it is not possible, the willingness to go forward despite perceived shortcomings, and a belief in oneself. Destiny is about can do, will do, glad I did. As Kirk Gibson, stepped into the batter's box with throbbing, painful knees I wonder whose words of encouragement he heard or whose actions he remembered. Someone had influenced him to have such a belief in himself. For you see we never know for sure when we've made a positive difference in someone's life - but we have the opportunity to do so each day. I'm really glad I sent Dad to wake you up from a sound sleep when you were seven. It was a teachable moment in time.

When it's all summed up, life isn't about days or weeks or months or years. For we don't remember days, we don't remember weeks or months or even years. What we remember are moments in time. What is just a game to many, can be an unforgetable, life changing moment for another.

Every day is a gift - that's why it is called the present. Give thanks for your today, enjoy it, be a positive encourager to another. Who knows you just might affect someone's destiny in such a way that they make a teachable moment in time for someone else.

Love,
Mom

P.S. For those reading this, thank you for indulging an 'ole mom to rant a little too. :-)

[Mike]

All of those examples that you gave were sports memories that come back to my head from time to time and this is exaclty why i watch sports and love many different sports today. There are tons of memories that could be added to this article, but then again, it would be a mile long.

This is by far one of the best articles that I have ever read on this site also. And to have your mom (if that is really her) come on and rant also, OUTSTANDING!

Chris - Great one man, just amazing

[Mom]

Yes, this 'Mom' is indeed Christopher's real life mom. Thanks for the encouragement. Who knows I may just join in the sports rant of other articles too at some point in time. ;-)

[Rusty27]

Originally Posted by The Siskos Kid

But do you LOVE sports?

LOL!

[Rusty27]

Originally Posted by Mom

Yes, this 'Mom' is indeed Christopher's real life mom. Thanks for the encouragement. Who knows I may just join in the sports rant of other articles too at some point in time. ;-)

I hope you do!That was a nice story.Don't be a stranger at any rate.

(We have another poster,BtownBeers,who I'm sure would come back to the boards.)

[Ishkur]

Great article....but it doesn't really satisfy the arguments of your detractors, since you use the perameters by which sports are measured to justify their exuberance (which doesn't mean anything to them). It's the ole circular logic argument, akin to "It's in the Bible because it's true. It's true because it's in the Bible." ....I'm just saying...

And to add to that impressive list, here's another one: That Mets relief pitcher from Korea, whatsisface. On Monday, inter-league play, this guy has to step to the plate, the first time he's batted since, like, LITTLE LEAGUE. Scared out of his wits, he picks the corner of the box furthest away from the plate and accepts a strikeout without trying. His teammates found it amusing. The fans were booing him.

Then yesterday....he has to bat again. Against Randy Johnson, of all people. So what does he do? Hits a standup double down the middle. Awesome. Betcha he couldn't do that again in 1000 at-bats.

Another feel good story, that I thought was pretty sweet until Bob Kostas ran it into the bloody ground: That black swimmer in the Sydney 2000 games from Equatorial Guinea. Eric Mousambini or something like that. Admitted into the games on a "building program" placement for poorer countries to get some world class exposure, this guy trained in a 10m pool back at home (the only one his country had), and had never seen an Olympic sized pool before. He just barely finished the 100m freestyle in over 2 minutes....snail's pace compared to the pack, and at one point he almost drowned from exhaustion, but the fact that he went out and did it anyway is pretty heartwarmind and really enforces the spirit of the Olympic idea. At least...it was, until NBC played the clip over and over again ad nausium.

Other moments for me:

Doug Flutie's hail mary pass.

Kirk Mclean's Save of the Century.

Bobby Orr flying through the air.

Paul Henderson scoring "The Goal".

Babe Ruth calling his shot.

Muhammed Ali's rope-a-dope strategy in the Rumble in the Jungle.

And probably many more I'm forgetting....

[focal22]

cliff notes anyone??