Yeah, it was pretty hard to think of a situation where all of those pitching qualities (especially the solid throwing fundamentals stories were concerned…) came into play. What I did remember was the actual development of this blog.

I knew I wanted to talk about sports and give it a positive approach, but all that leads up to being able to actually blog is a different story…

I had to keep in the forefront of my mind what my goal, indeed, was. I had to remember why I was staying up really late when I knew I had to get up really early for my other job. There are very small details that end up meaning a great deal when you want to deliver a wonderful package to your readers… I think that was the biggest thing… I wanted to give something that was visually relevant and worth reading.

I’m happy with the current stage of my sports blog (I realize that it’s still developing and I actually like that.). I want to be the source of assistance to understanding sports and an encouragement to making that relationship even better because of your new-found knowledge… Now, come on… you have to be accurate, dedicated, intelligent, and strong to make this happen (Smile!), right? And, well, if I have to throw something to make this happen then so be it (Smile… again.)!… You really should read the previous post so you can put my throwing stuff into context… Hilarious!

I really think Lester’s story was an inspiring one… it is another example of our inner strength to thrive and be more than what we ever imagined. The irony of his position is encouraging, too.

As a pitcher, he is the most important player on the team (I’m sure the short stop argues this statement.). A pitcher can determine the outcome of a game… Lester’s role on the field can easily be paralleled to the same traits he carried into his potentially life-ending disease (What are they you might ask?… I’m glad you asked.).

A pitcher has to be:

Accurate,

Have solid throwing fundamentals,

Dedicated,

Intelligent, and

Strong.

The traits above for this very valuable position aren’t all that a pitcher needs, but it definitely helps you to put into perspective that player on the mound and his role with the team.

So hey, do you have a “pitcher’s mound experience” where the related traits had to come into play in your own life? Hmmm… I’ll think of one to share, too!

I know we’ve been on a Boston kick, so there’s no reason to deter from that now (smile!)… but, this story is one of courage, fortitude, and endurance… and, one that I couldn’t help but share.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester (amazingly) returned to the team after recovering from cancer. I am so excited about this story because Lester made a choice-even after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma-to fight the disease and to return to baseball, the sport he loved.

Photo by Guano. (CC)

Enduring chemo, which he admits sucked (uh, yeah!), speaks volumes to his determination to get into game shape (If you didn’t know, chemo tends to do the counter of one being able to remain in any type of desired shape.) and be a valued part of the team.

Lester’s winning spirit is one for the books… He didn’t allow his illness to strip him of his dreams and his happiness. You shouldn’t either… choose to make it!

This is a simple one today…

If it isn’t you, what is your sports enthusiast’s favorite team color(s) (If you’re not sure, the very tattered jersey that seems to always appear during a game might be a giveaway!)? I can’t wait to hear from you!

So, Hubby and I were actually talking about Tiger Woods and his crazy performance this past Monday… (wait, go back…). It’s presumed that he went out to the course and played on a broken leg (crazy, huh?) and so the sports analysts this week have gone back and forth about the depth of his passion.

Back to Hubby and I… we were discussing this and I was wondering just how smart it was for Tiger to attempt such a feat with the possibility of causing more damage. Hubby understood my point, but added that this show of courage and passion just added to the mystique of Tiger Woods.

Do you think his wife knew the extent of his injury?… Possibly. Or, he may of just passed the injury off as something small and she totally believed that to be true.

Has there ever been a time when your significant other didn’t explain the entire situation and you ended up saying, “You didn’t tell me all that!… ‘cause if you had, I would have said…”?

Tigers are considered to be the undisputed ruler of its domain (This is so going to be relevant later!). When hunger arises, they are extraordinary killers and their prey are left helpless to their undeniable prowess (Wait for it… Wait for it.). And, no matter the situation, they can almost always be found victorious.

These same characteristics are appropriately aligned with PGA’s very own Tiger Woods (See the name symbolism?… Work it. Own it. Love it.). Victor of the 2008 U.S. Open Championship at Torrey Pines, Woods defeated his opponent in a sudden death playoff after being tied at the end of the game.

Photo by Jim Epler. (CC)

Here’s the kicker!… he was hurt. Yep!

Woods had recently had surgery on his left knee, leaving him in an amazing amount of pain. Admitting that he pushed himself quite a bit, Woods (grimacing and limping all the way) found courage and pressed by his pain to achieve greatness, yet again… Definitely his most remarkable.

Where’s your symbolic Tiger? We all have one (I’ve had to pull it out a few times [smile])… and you know what? It’s okay! A little inner strength never hurts.

A character can be developed and massaged over time… True? True. And it is also safe to say that a character can ever evolve and mature into that ideal state of being. What is truly unbelievable is when that character is pushed into greatness by anything but great circumstances.

Photo by Eric Kilby. (CC)

Leon Powe, the second-year reserve for the NBA’s Boston Celtics, has beat tremendous odds to now be in a place of potential super stardom and notoriety (And yes, I know you’re wondering… off-the-bench players are sometimes called “reserves”. Their job is to come off the bench and give their team a boost). As the oldest child, Powe possessed a superstar character earlier on after his father (his name sake) walked out on the family.

His life’s story consumed my heart as I listened and read about it… A life of homelessness, hunger, and helplessness. After an accidental fire-which destroyed everything-the family was left in dire straits… so much so that Powe’s mother found herself in legal troubles for her actions in trying to care for her family. In an interview, Powe says he saw his mom sacrifice eating so he and the other children could eat. With that same heart, he would give up meals, too. At 40, Powe’s mother died from a heart attack. He believed she worked herself to death for them. Her death forced the children to be placed into foster homes and Powe wasn’t satisfied with the state of things at all.

After much mentoring, Powe’s superstar character stood up in him and he used his basketball talent to finally reach the big times (NBA, of course). He ensured that his first priority was to get his sisters and brothers back together… and that’s what he did. With all that he has endured in his life, he has maintained his hope.

The Celtics and the LA Lakers continue their championship run in the 2008 NBA Finals… I’m sure Powe will be that added effort that the Celtics will need. Be sure to share Powe’s story with your sports enthusiast (During a commercial, please! LOL!)!

For the father who loves all sports, enjoy the line up this weekend.

For the husband who wears his favorite baseball cap, the remote will remain where you can see it.

For the son who schedules life around the finals, happiness is there because (at least) you plan.

For the brother who won’t take that jersey off, the load to go into the wash will wait until Monday.

For the nephew who wants that golf bag, a gift card will reach your mail box just in time.

For the cousin who dreams of being drafted, dreams do come true.

For the neighbor who drops by “for sugar”, but really just loves the big screen, there is a seat waiting.

For the friend who tells the score, you’ll have a listening audience.

Happy Father’s Day… Let the sports-weekend-good-times roll!

What’s your Father’s Day gift to all (or maybe just one!!) the fathers in your life?… Uh, and fathers, what is your hearts’ desire for your special day?

Honey (Baby, Dear, Sweetbuns… you get the picture), the NBA Finals are on and ________________________________________________!

Fill in the blank with your response or what your sports enthusiast’s response would be. Have fun!

I’m sure you know someone (Who knows, maybe it’s you!) who just isn’t quite being themselves. You can’t put your finger on it (or maybe you can), but you wonder what it would take to help this person realize his or her true potential.

This thought came to me as we (me, Hubby, and Mom… love you Mom!!) watched the Belmont Stakes horse race on Saturday… more specifically, after the astonishing loss of Triple Crown hopeful Big Brown. Everyone had an opinion about why the stallion, seemingly, just wasn’t himself. His racing style was unusual. The way he responded to the jockey was unusual. And, his last place finishing was absolutely unusual.

Photo by Jim Wood. (CC)

In all this, I felt a sort of burden for the horse as he was expected to live up to this huge name and grandeur that was placed all around him. He, of course, was none the wiser and just probably figured it was another day out on the dirt, but others were stunned because of this overall expectation.

Very simply put, it is important to be who you are no matter what. It can be a daunting task at times especially in work or school (even relationship) dynamics, but how much satisfaction would you get in realizing at the end of the day that you were being true to who you are?

There is so much unending pressure to be so many things, but the truth of the matter is that it takes so much work to be something or someone that you’re not. Try to be the very best that you can be and although there will be continued expectation around you (that’s just the nature of things), the hype isn’t worth losing out on being the very special you.

Have there been times when you felt that being you just wasn’t good enough?… If so, let me know when and what happened next.