If you told me last week that I would see a greater moment than the 1980 US Olympic Hockey win over the Soviet Union, I would have called you nuts. The Miracle on Ice, I don't care how many times I see it, when I hear Al Michaels perfect call "Do you believe in miracles? YES!!!!!" I get chills up and down my arms and legs, and tears in my eyes. Then I saw this picture last week
Courtesy of ESPN.com. Western Oregon's Sara Tucholsky is carried around the bases by Central Washington's Liz Wallace, left, and Mallory Holtman after injuring her knee following her home run during their softball game Saturday April 26, 2008, in Ellensburg, Wash. With two runners on base and a strike against her, Tucholsky uncorked her best swing and did something she had never done, in high school or college. Her first home run cleared the center-field fence.
This was a Division II college game that had zero significance in my life. I never heard of either of these schools, I don't root for either one, and I certainly don't know any of their players. But I won't forget this picture. These 2 teams were in the 2nd game of a double-header and battling for the conference title. With her team trailing by a run Western Oregon senior Sara Tucholsky hit the first and only home run of her career. In her haste rounding the bases she missed first and when she went back to touch the bag she twisted her knee and tore her ACL. As far as injuries go, that's it. A torn ACL means at least a year rehab. Her career would end clutching 1st base w/ a 2 run SINGLE. Because she didn't round the bases she would only get credit for a single and if any of HER teammates touched her to help her, she would be out. That's when 2 OPPONENTS went to the ump and asked if THEY carried her would that be legal? And that's exactly what they did. They lost the game b/c of that home run.
This is what sports is really all about. As I bet everyone was told when they were little, Its not weather you win or lose, its how you play the game. That's true until your about 10. Then its If it didn't matter who won or loss then why do you keep score. Don't get me wrong I am VERY competitive and I love to win. But there is a right way to win. And as my father taught me you have to leave everything on the field. That's what these girls did. And God Bless them for it.
With ALL the negativity in this world, especially in the sports world. "Who is on roids?" (CHEATING FUCKS!), A star player was arrested for rape/dog fighting/a shooting! (DUMB FUCKS!), Star athlete went to a strip club. (INVASION OF PRIVACY) There was a great episode of Costas Now on HBO dealing w/ the sports media. And just this problem, ALL THE NEGATIVITY. I am an optomistic person and I like hearing positive things but that is not the world we live in anymore. So when a story like this comes along it doesn't get the press it deserves. So I recommend everyone clicking on the link below and watch this incredible story,
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3380875
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