Troy Credle's Sportswriter Profile

Troy Credle

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Atlanta Braves: John Smoltz Defines Greatness
April 18, 2008

852 reads

I hail from Chesapeake, Virginia, in the same area as Virginia Beach and Norfolk - aka the "Hampton Roads" or the "757". This area has produced numerous athletic stars in the past decade, including Allen Iverson, Alonzo Mourning, and Joe Smith in the NBA; BJ and Justin Upton, David Wright, Michael Cuddyer, Ryan Zimmerman, and Justin Verlander in the MLB; and Michael Vick, Dre Bly, Ronald Curry, Deangelo Hall, and Plaxico Burress in the NFL.

I was not born a sports fan, as my father has never had a passion for sports, but sometime as a child, I became a sports fanatic. Baseball is my first passion, and my greatest passion, and I follow it religiously. Basketball was my next passion, but it has since been surpassed by football.

I played 3 years of varsity basketball in high school. I went to StoneBridge High School in Chesapeake, a private Christian school. We made it to the state playoffs twice while I was there, but never won. In 2007, the boys won their first State Basketball Championship. I was nothing more than a role player in high school, primarily used as a wing-man and shooter. Baseball, as I have already alluded to, was my passion. I played 4 years of baseball, serving as the captain my senior year. It was interesting how I joined the team, though. While shooting hoops my freshman year, I saw the baseball team taking batting practice. I hadn't played competitively since 6th grade, but I decided to see what I could do. I impressed the coaches so much that they put my in the cleanup spot my freshman year, and I stayed there until I graduated.

Otherwise, I am a die-hard Atlanta Braves fan, taking after my grandfather. I also have an undying loyalty to both the Washington Redskins and the Virginia Tech Hokies football team, mostly out of association.

I can't imagine a life without sports. In my perfect life, I will retire in my 50's, and buy season tickets to Lane Stadium and Turner Field for the rest of my days.

Favorite Athletes

I am a fan of greatness, as much as the next guy. I also love local stars, and there are plenty from the area I have grown up in, the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Boyhood idols: Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr., Michael Jordan. Favorite Baseball Players: John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, Chipper Jones, Jeff Franceour, David Wright, Jose Reyes, Alex Rodriguez, Justin Verlander, Andruw Jones. Favorite Football Players: Adrian Peterson, Clinton Portis, Chris Cooley, Michael Strahan, Brett Favre, Bruce Smith, Michael Vick, Vince Hall, Peyton Manning, Vince Young. Players I wish I could have seen play: Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax, Ty Cobb, Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Ted Williams, Walter Johnson, Mickey Mantle.
Favorite Sports Teams

Atlanta Braves Virginia Tech Hokies Washington Redskins
All-Time Sports Moment

This is far to difficult of a question. To narrow it down, I can only include moments I have actually witnessed, and I will include 3: - Curt Schilling's bloody ankle in the 2004 ALCS. He instantly became a hero in my book, and I'm not even a Red Sox fan. I have never before seen such courage, passion, and drive to win. -Mark McGwire hitting a screaming liner over the left field wall off of Steve Trachsel for his 62nd home run in 1998. Then after rounding the bases, grasping a much thinner Sammy Sosa. What a perfect setting for what once was one the most elustrious records in American sports. As a 12 year old boy, he was larger than life. -The Virginia Tech Hokies football team storming the field against ECU, with Metallica's "Enter Sandman" blaring in the background, in September 2007. This was the most emotional entrance I have ever witnessed, as it culminated the healing process for the Virginia Tech Community.
Most Memorable Game Attended

One of three: My first MLB game, at Turner Field in Atlanta in the summer of 98. The 2006 Chickfila Bowl at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The 2008 Orange Bowl at Dolphin Stadium in Miami.
Most Unbreakable Sports Record

2,632.
Ruth or Mays?

Interesting question, but it has to be Ruth. As a young player, was one of the greatest pitchers in the league, and easily one of the most clutch. And we all know what happened when the Yanks converted him to an outfielder. Ruth.
Unitas or Montana?

Never saw Unitas play, but Montana is the man. Not only does he have the perfect "quarterback name", but nobody turns it one when it counts most like him. Montana.
Pele or Maradona?

Say what? Haha, I'm not big on soccer, but everyone in the world knows the name "Pele". Pele.
ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-12 or SEC?

I live in Southeastern Virginia, right in the heart of ACC country. 3/4 of the Virginia Tech football team went to high schools within a 20 minute drive from my house. ACC.