What does it mean to really play our national pastime? Are there any real superstars left?

After hearing the Manny Ramirez suspension news yesterday, I was not shocked—like many. Instead, I grew disturbed. Sports in life are created for fun, pleasure, and enjoyment. 

Today, sports are surrounded by outside information. Every other day a different player is on steroids or getting into some type of trouble, made into the biggest story in the news.  

Sports fans were drawn away from the NBA playoffs, NHL Playoffs, and other great major league regular season games. Where they miss a chance to focus on some of the true talented players of our time. 

The media coverage of the playoff games was so minimal in comparison to someone who damaged his own life on the front stage. 

On the biggest stages, ESPN built up every piece to filter information, making sports more about news than the game.  

I have a passion for sports, whether it be a ball hit out of the park, a touchdown pass, a basket, or a goal, we all feel the excitement. 

Even when we are watching a little league game or amateurs we cheer and clap by rooting on one team or the other. It becomes a great resource involving team members to learn skills of life, grow together, and, most of all, focus on having fun.

Though, in a professional game the major difference the professionals are public eyes putting on a show to a wide screen of people watching every little move. 

That’s not how it always was.

Yes, there were always fans in the stands but the players enjoyed baseball truly for the love of the sport, not for the multi-million dollar contract, agents and other endorsements, but for the love of the game and they made it special and competitive as well. 

Going back to my childhood I watched a true Dodger team with Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Ron Cey, and Bill Russell work as a true team for eight years. Working together, instinctively finding the perfect chemistry to make a team. 

Even on the other side of the coin, there was competition. The Big Red Machine, a group of great hitters and fielder of their time, as well player included Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, Johnny Bench, Dave Concepcion, and yes Pete Rose before he gambled on the game. 

Truly there is not that magic like this today. 

Yes, there were superstars in the 70s and a great year for a good player would be 30 home runs. Even the most popular home-run hitter of the time, Reggie Jackson had only two seasons when he hit over 40 home runs.

Baseball is a game where men are supposed to have fun. Baseball is a game where athletes can shine not only as individuals but as teammates blending with great chemistry. Baseball is exciting game for all fans of all ages no mater who you are or where you come from. 

I ask major league baseball to start focusing on the game not the individuals. Make the game fun again. I look at the old films of are past time and only see how great baseball was and how it can be.

Bring back the joy of baseball to all of us. 

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