1-It takes a man to carry on with
dignity, even when he had hoped things were different.
A perfect example is that of Oakland
A’s relief pitcher Pat Neshek. On
October 3rd he was rejoicing with his wife over the birth of their
first son, Gehrig John, whensomething went terribly wrong. Twenty three hours
after their son was born, he died from a mysterious illness.
Nevertheless, on Saturday, October 6th,
only three days after the loss of his son, Pat Neshek was pitching in the
playoffs versus the Detroit Tigers. He and his wife felt that he should be at
the game as sort of a healing process. After suffering one of life’s most
devastating blows, the death of a child, Neshek did what he could to best
represent his family with dignity.
Although he pitched successfully
when called upon that evening, it was what his teammates did for Neshek that
most struck him. His manager, Bob
Melvin, seeking to share in his pitcher’s grief, ordered patches with GJN on
them in honor of Neshek’s son. The gesture rendered the pitcher and father in
tears, as he broke down overwhelmed by the support of his team.
Sometimes, it doesn’t matter if you
win or not on the scoreboard, it matters most how you represent those you love.
2- It takes a man to have the back
of his teammate, when he is being unjustly treated.
On Sunday, Eric Winston, offensive
tackle of the Kansas City Chiefs did more than just support his quarterback, he
stood up for him. He did so by scolding
the press and the fans who jeeringly cheered his quarterback, Matt Cassel, who
was knocked out cold and lay motionless on the field, during their football
game with the Baltimore Ravens.
This is what Winston said, “When you
cheer somebody getting knocked out, I don’t care who it is….it’s sickening,
100% sickening. I’ve never been more embarrassed in my life to play football
than in that moment right there.....Matt Cassel hasn’t done anything to you
people…he’s a person.
The fans evidently had been
disappointed with Cassel for some time and instead of thinking of him as a
person, they treated him as a commodity, someone, who needed to be replaced.
Winston, like a true man vehemently opposed their lack of compassion and
subsequently let his viewpoint be known to everyone, loud and clear.
When someone is down on their luck,
if you can’t say anything nice, at least show some respect and say nothing at
all.
3-It takes a man to give a vote of
confidence to another man based on his effort, not the final result.
On Sunday night, closer Jim Johnson
of my favorite team, the Baltimore Orioles, gave up five runs in one inning
costing his team their first game in their playoff series with their long
standing rivals, the New York Yankees. Up to that point, the O’s were on an
improbable run, proving all their naysayers and pundits wrong as they made the
playoffs for the first time in fifteen years
However, his manager, Buck Showalter
refused to blame him for an off night. He refused to judge him on one
performance, but rather to look at his entire body of work throughout the
entire season. You see, Showalter knew his go to guy had recorded the last out
for him in fifty two out of his team’s ninety two wins.
Better than that, Buck knew the kind
of man that Johnson was and is when he said, “it’s real easy to put your
faith in a guy like Jim Johnson, not only as a pitcher, but as a man.” Every
guy in that clubhouse knows that he’s a special guy……We like him wearing our
uniform.”
The next night, in game two, the Orioles’
and Buck were rewarded for their loyalty.
Up by one in the ninth inning against the Yankees, Showalter unflinchingly
handed the ball to Johnson. And his closer came through, just like he had fifty
two times previously this season, as he set the Yankees’ side down in order to
win the game.
When someone believes in you, even
the most ordinary man can do things no one thought he could, including himself.
4- There is an epic battle that a
man wages everyday against himself, one he must win.
On Sunday afternoon, a drama played
itself out on an NFL field in Indianapolis. Rookie coach, Chuck Pagano, had
just been diagnosed with leukemia and had been temporarily relieved as coach of
the Colts until further notice from the doctors.
What seemingly was devastating news
at first, apparently by Sunday had energized the team and the city of Indy.
Instead of heads bowed, fans turned out in droves wearing Chuck strong t- shirts in support of their infirmed coach. The team
itself, motivated by a speech the coach wrote them, came back from eighteen
points down at halftime to win their game in dramatic fashion against the Green
Bay Packers.
Here is what that letter said:
“My condition will not determine my
position. I understand the condition, but chose to focus on my position. That
is to stay positive and serve. We will, we can, we must, we have no choice, by
any means necessary, we will overcome……laser sharp focus……WIN !
Certain men, despite their uncertain
circumstances, know what it takes to be a man and do the right thing.
The
rarest, greatest breed of men is not those who just leave us in awe, but rather
those who leave us wanting more; more of their time, more of their love, more of
their wisdom, more of them.
Swavel
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