Sports: From a 15 Year Old Kid's Point Of View

Baseball is a magical sport. Filled with walk-off home runs, great pitching performances, and diamonds in the rough who are found every day. Soccer is the beautiful game, highlighted by the dazzling runs of Cristiano Ronaldo, the physical defense of Carlos Puyol, and monumental goals from Landon Donovan. Basketball is outlined by the slickness of Kobe, the fast and physical play of LeBron, and the never give up mentality in the post by Dwight. Football is David Tyree’s helmet grab, Chris Johnson’s 2,000 rushing yard season, and Jamarcus Russell’s failures. Cycling is Lance Armstrong’s seven Tour De France titles and doping.

                                Now you might be saying baseball is tainted, and that may be true but we cannot worry our minds with that sort of thought while we are watching a baseball game. If they cheat, we must have hope that the MLB’s drug testing policy will catch the cheaters. Maybe soccer is full of dives (mostly by Ronaldo), but every sport has something wrong with it. Soccer really enthralls me, as it’s very much a team sport and the tide can turn with one shot. And, in some cases soccer can unify a country which is what happened when Landon Donovan scored the game winning goal for the U.S. against Algeria in injury time. Basketball will never be the same now that we have the Big Three in Miami. Now, many may see what LeBron James did as betrayal but I see it as a way to get people excited about the NBA. Just think how fun it’s going to be to watch three of the world’s best basketball players on the court for a full season. It doesn’t mean they’ll win every game as three guys cannot carry a team for 82 games. That’s why the Heat aren’t a lock to win the championship. Football is flawed as well. There are too many rules protecting the quarterback. But, I keep watching because of the athleticism of Michael Vick and the great hands of Steve Smith. Cycling is also fun to watch, but I can’t help but think, are half of these cyclists doping. With the news today about Alberto Contador, three time Tour De France winner testing positive for a banned substance, I just keep thinking to myself, ‘When is this going to stop?’

                                I also enjoy learning about sports history. I believe Thurman Munson is the toughest S.O.B. to ever put on a baseball jersey. Babe Ruth, to me, is without question the greatest hitter in MLB history.  I recognize soccer was forever changed when Pele graced the world with his brilliance on the pitch. The world will never see another Michael Jordan, a player who captivated living rooms across the nation, having people tune in every night just to watch him embarrass another team’s defense. No other wide receiver will ever be able to shine Jerry Rice’s shoes. He was a lethal threat, could catch the short pass, post routes, great at going up and getting the ball, and his trademark, going after the long pass.

                                I like to appreciate the past, present, and what’s to come in the wonderful world of sports. I love to discuss sports with people from all generations to get an understanding of how people reacted to certain events in sports in other eras. I like asking my elders how they felt about Reggie Jackson when he played for the Yankees. I like to ask how it was to see Jerry Rice or Michael Jordan in their hay days. I wonder how it was to see Y.A. Tittle get back up after some of the shots he took on the field. I am open to everything, and I’m still learning.