Mary Beth could learn a lot from Don Mattingly. She could learn that there is more to life than winning. That you can still be a respectable human being even if you are unable to overcome the obstacles that life throws your way. That you should be happy to be alive, and be proud of who you are, regardless of your material success.
Most importantly, Mary Joe could perhaps realize that it's not whether you win or lose that really matters—but how you play the game.
A lot of folks in 21st century America care only about winning; they seem to have forgotten the importance of playing the game. Politicians will reverse their stances on the most important issues in their platform if they think it will help them at the polls. Business leaders no longer care about putting in a hard day's work—the production value of the employee alone determines whether he stays or goes.
And sports fans? They're more concerned with the outcome of their team's performance than they are with the style of ball their squad plays, or the characters that comprise the roster.
Back in 1962, the New York Mets entered the league as one of the biggest jokes in the history of baseball. But despite posting an abysmal 40-120 record, they somehow managed to outsell the World Champion Bronx Bombers.
The thought of anything like that happening in 2007 is simply unimaginable. Just like Mary Beth, Americans these days don't care about playing the game—and as a result, often end up feeling unsatisfied with their lives.
Donnie Baseball, on the other hand, was someone who was satisfied regardless of the result—and took pleasure in every chance he got to swing a bat or field a grounder in the big leagues.
Our children would be wise to take notice. I hereby pledge to tell them about Don Mattingly.
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