There are several things that you want for incredible athletes that do things the right way. Many of us want them to go out on top and some get to do that, but that is rare. It's rare that they get to enjoy it too, but it does happen sometimes. In basketball I can only really think of David Robinson announcing he was leaving that season and going out on top. It is equally rare in football, with only Ray Lewis and John Elway coming to mind (I think many would say Ray didn't do things the right way either). That feat doesn't really happen in baseball either. I cannot remember the last time a guy said he was retiring before the season and won the World Series in baseball. It most likely has happened, but I do not remember it. However, there is one thing that baseball does far better than the other sports.
Baseball has mastered the all-star game sendoff for these fantastic athletes with legendary careers. They honor guys that are great for the game and great for the community. This has really been true the last few years, but it happened long before that. When there isn't a current athlete to celebrate, baseball makes sure to honor a hometown legend like Stan Musial or Ted Williams. Sometimes baseball is able to do both. Major League Baseball just does a great job with their all-star game and it is truly a great thing to see.
Back in 2001, one of my childhood heroes, Cal Ripken Jr., took his personal farewell tour to the all-star game. To this day, I consider this my favorite all-star game experience to watch. I was a Freshman in High School that was so moved by the way that baseball honored its Iron Man. Here was Cal Ripken, the gold standard for hard work, excellence, and integrity being honored for being the incredible example that he was. During a period of drug users and cheaters, Ripken did things the right way and did things the best way. He was the centerpiece of this game and I loved it. They honored him the whole week long and Joe Torre was great with how he handled Cal. The Yankee manager at the time made a plan to have Cal Ripken Jr. play SS for an inning (eventhough he moved to 3B by that point in his career). Many argue that Ripken is the best SS ever and I agree so that was an awesome gesture for his last midsummer classic. It is also easily the single greatest moment of Alex Rodriguez's career where he put the game before himself. That is another story for another day though. In 2001 the All-Star game belonged to Cal Ripken Jr. He even hit a home run and won MVP which added to the festivities. This really was a shining moment for baseball. It was mainly a celebration of Cal passing the torch to the younger players in Major League Baseball, like Derek Jeter.
That moment was one of those once in a lifetime things. Major League Baseball surely would not be able to do that again most of us thought. Many of us predicted that would be one of the only times we saw that. All of us that thought it was the only time were wrong though. The last three years, every year has been an awesome all-star sendoff.
In 2012, during Mike Trout and Bryce Harper's first all-star game when baseball received a huge injection of youth, it honored a classic superstar. This all-star game would be played during the last season for Atlanta Brave legend, Chipper Jones. Now, Chipper isn't a Hall of Fame lock for everyone, but for me this guy certainly is. Especially given the era he played in and the fact that he did it clean. Chipper Jones was absolutely a guy that baseball needed to honor. Baseball did a great job with it too, eventhough Chipper had to be added after the initial rosters were announced. Major League Baseball realized that they needed Chipper in the game during his final season. As a Virginia resident at the time I loved the baseball tribute. I grew up watching Chipper and followed his career all the way back to the Richmond Braves in 1993 when I was 6 years old. We saw Chipper play minor league baseball and come up and become a superstar. It is great to see guys like Chipper pass the torch.
The following season in 2013, we saw Mariano Rivera on his farewell tour. The legendary closer who happens to be the greatest relief pitcher in baseball history, is one that everyone admires. He is one that we have been spoiled by recently and did things the right way. His whole career he conducted himself with class. I was thrilled that baseball gave him such a classy sendoff.Mariano also won MVP during his sendoff with a great performance.
A guy like Mike Trout was already spoiled by this point, but Tuesday's game really sealed the deal for the Major League Baseball sendoff. In his 3rd year in the league, Mike Trout was at his 3rd all-star game and witnessing his 3rd legendary sendoff. This time, the sendoff featured the Captain on his farewell tour. It was time to say goodbye at the all-star game to Derek Jeter. Jeter would help lead the American League to victory. With a brilliant defensive play in the top of the first, and a leadoff double in the bottom half. He would score the first run and collect another hit later in the game. Then in the 4th inning, Jeter came out so that the AL could get some other guys in and he could get the proper sendoff. He received multiple standing ovations during the game and baseball showed the world what a classy sport it was. We all Re2pect Derek Jeter and that commercial was one of the best commercials of all-time.
Derek Jeter did not win the MVP, although he obviously could have. Maybe he should have, but him not winning it just shows you how great baseball is. Major League Baseball is fantastic at passing the torch. For the past couple years we have seen these superstars exit the game and an injection of new talent into it. An injection of the guys that will one day receive these same sendoffs. One of those guys happened to witness these three sendoffs in his first three years in baseball. He is soaking up the knowledge that they imparted and becoming a fan-favorite. Know he won the 2014 All-Star Game MVP and is quickly becoming the new face of Major League Baseball. Now that the captain is leaving, somebody else has to become the face of the game, and who better than Mike Trout?
The torch has been passed once again. You have to love Major League Baseball.
-Noland
No comments:
Post a Comment