 |
GUTS And GLORYGuts and Glory, A Heroes Laurel , American Baseball is replete with the Lore.Recalling One Of The Great Moments Of BaseballGuts and Glory may sound a little harsh but Moments of Glory happens in American Baseball and all of lifes endeavors.
The Wizard of Baseball or The Wiz Tommy LaSorda epitomizes this Seize the Moment and Win the Glory with American Baseball and this phrase. Maybe I could have used a more polite wording since my coach of many words and phrases one "Piggy Mitchell" would have said,"Intestinal Fortitude"instead of Guts and Glory.
This thought is not all about baseball or to baseball fans only it is a vital and neccessary ingredient in all of our many every day decisions. It is not an easy choice to quit ones job with only a hope to get another very soon.Opportunities may only come once do not wait for the News Reel highlights seize the moment. Great moments in sports are remembered for a lifetime. However, pure use of this no guts and glory is so aptly applied in the sports world. The other prominent place in lifes application is the leadership and decision process for our military leaders. My brother Bailey is my sounding board for all things pertaining to baseball and being the astute follower of American Baseball, and its game, when he speaks I listen. He provided me with thoughts on two subjects that I must relate to you folks.The first of which is this Guts and Glory theme the other is The Wiz. These are the things that make American Baseball the greatest and most talked about sport of the world. Ironically both of these themes were triggered by the action of one Tommy LaSorda. The most loved rotund, slighty bow legged, blue eyed fiery and calculating Manager of "Them Bums" the Dodgers. Notice I did not say Los Angeles Dodgers because Them Bums relates back to our Brooklyn Dodgers. The folks of Flatbush had a right Baseball given right to call their beloved Dodgers, Bums, when they let them down. Now back to my real story. Bailey writes about Risks vs Reward or Guts and Glory all while relating to watching a game in one years World Series along with Dad and brother Ben. He claims they witnessed one of the most phenomenl and memorable hitting display in his memory.
He calls it the blast "the shot that made the earth shake".It was the first game of the 1988 World Series.The cheers and jubilation of the fans rocked the stands that night over this phenomenal hit. Kirk Gibson, a player with a gift for hitting the long ball had been unable to play due to his disabled legs. Gibson could hardly walk, much less run the bases. Whether it was his personal plea to go bat or the manager's calculated risk to send Gibson to the plate in the bottom of the ninth with the team behind is irrelevent. However,being the competitor and the champion he and his manager were I tend to think it was a mutual respect for each other allowed this momentous event to happen. No Guts No Glory. The rest is history. Gibson gingerly made it to the plate and with great confidence faced the opposing team pitcher. Then the miraculous reward occured for the risk of sending a great,but disabled batter to the plate to try and win the game with a hit over the outfield wall. With two out a ground ball would be a most certain out since Gibson wouldn't be able to make it to first due to the fact that he wouldn' be able to run it out. A homerun was the only option for Gibson, his team and their fans. Gibson a gifted left handed-hitter drove a good pitch deep into the right field stands to win the game. Guts and Glory once again triumphs most gloriously.
Jake Pyron a former catcher at Auburn University Montgomery in a conversation with Bailey remembered a reference to this momentous game being discussed on TV's Sports Century program.
As Jake recalls the interview taking place revealed a classic manager and player relation with mutual respect being the thing which permeates our game of baseball. Kirk was ready to head down the tunnel when LaSorda checked to see if Kirk felt he could take the swings? Kirk's reply was "Coach I only have one swing left in me." Paul Harvey must have known all along we all needed to know the rest of this story. Thank you Tommy LaSorda--Thank you Kirk Gibson--for giving us this moment of baseball history. Thank you Jake Pyron for sharing the rest of the Guts and Glory story.
Bailey says "It will be forever etched in my mind Gibson circling the bases and "cranking it up" in satisfaction as he rounded third base headed for home". This is a once in a lifetime event to witness even though it was by television. This feat was so notable I have seen it on sports television reruns occassionally in memories of the game. The game, the teams, the final score and the year does not matter. It's more about a player, and his manager, with guts and optimism in the face of adversity going to bat for his teammates and fans and bringing home the glory. No Guts No Glory. Maybe one day soon I can bring you the rest of the story.I'm sure Tommy LaSorda "The Wiz" will be happy to tell us the real story of Guts and Glory,of this most memorable achievement. Bailey says "Gibson more than likely had to have his lucky wabbit foot with him that night". What do you think? Ps You might ask brother Ben about this an he may be able to recall more of the details. Dad knows, but we'll have to wait till later to get an answer from him. You know he really enjoyed watching baseball on TV and I really enjoyed watching it with him. Great Memory! Turn the Lights On...Let's Play Ball! Batter Up----Let's Play Ball.... Return to BaseballFarming our home page which is an introduction to the concept of baseball farming which includes ideas on strategies, training, and winning
The fascinating world of sharing a passion via the Internet could come alive for you.
Come visit to learn about how you might enjoy your very own website while being guided by the folks at Site Build It.
Click the Here's the Proof button below
Website Hosting considered to be at the top in the field will lead to Web-Building Success
Sports and Fitness on Rollback at Walmart.com
|
