By
Terry Orr
(Avid
baseball fan)
Last year article (http://kisbyto.blogspot.com/2012/06/national-little-league-baseball-week.html)
was about the history and spirit on the game of baseball for young people all
over the world. Today’s article is about the major league players who have been
excellent role models and contributed back to the sport of baseball and
community service.
My first major league player to work in the community was a
fella named Bob Cerv, an older outfielder in the latter years of his career –
spend an afternoon with our team. My
memory was pure shock! He broke my baseball bat after watching my hit for a few
minutes. Then handed me two new ones – a 30 and 32-ounce bats. Bob had be separate my hands for better bat
control and how to hit the ball to all parts of the field. While my batting average greatly improved – my
lack of speed was my major challenge to moving on in high school and beyond..
Through all these, I still remember that partly cloudy day in North Kansas
City.
Roberto Clemente
of the Pittsburg Pirates is still my all-time favorite outfielder and
humanitarian.
George Brett of
the Kansas City Royals 3rd Baseman, fantastic hitter and great leader
in club house, on the field and in community and a positive role model both on
and off the field.
Cal Ripken, Jr. of
the Baltimore Orioles – was the first to the tall shortstops who took the
game of baseball to another level through his dedication, ethics,
sportsmanship, community involvement, and staying late to sign autographs. After his retirement, Cal established his
baseball camps and parks to help improve the overall quality and enjoyment of
the game for young people.
Ichiro Suzuki of
the Seattle Mariners and now New York Yankees is the epitome of ethics, hard
work, dedication and doing the right thing both on and off the baseball
diamond. Most folks forget, that before coming to America, his All-Star – MVP
play in Japan.
Derek Jeter of
the New York Yankees one of the most gifted and true role models in baseball
for the past decade.
Mike Trout of the
Los Angles Angels American League Rookie of the year has all the capabilities
to excel as a baseball player and role model for years to come.
Bryce Harper of
the Washington Nationals - National League Rookie of the Year and plays the game
of baseball as it should be played – hard work, hustle, doing your best each
and every game.
They all share something in common.
Passion!
And love for the game.
Each of these had or have Baseball Role Models!
