We finally made it to Aruba (Yeah, yeah… Viva Aruba. I’m still dreaming of ole El San Juan!). The beaches are beautiful and the ocean is a gorgeous bluish green that is completely breath taking. I must say, though, that getting here was an adventure in and of itself. You know, you see so many people in the airport-while you’re waiting-going their own way and every now and then you see a familiar face or two (No, no not of your significant other returning from grabbing coffee for you.). That familiar face is that famous one that you recognize from television…

Have you ever been in an airport and spotted a famous face (Yes, before you ask, sports famous.)? Were you able to say anything to the person or maybe get an autograph?

On our honeymoon to Belize we spotted Bobby Knight (actually on the same flight)… the former Indiana Hosiers men’s basketball coach known for his eccentric antics on the court. I was excited when I saw him and once I found out he was actually going to Belize, too (we waited at the same gate during our lay over), I asked Hubby to go get an autograph… (uh, yeah, after we thought about it, we thought better of it!!). Needless to say, not wanting to bother him on his vacation (Wink! Wink! You’d have to see him on the court! LOL!), we headed to Belize without the autograph.

Who have you spotted while you were waiting?…

Yes… so we’re traveling to our vacation destination, Aruba… with a 6-hour layover in Puerto Rico (don’t ask!!) and while I was sitting here-in this 5-star resort-waiting for our taxi back to the airport (really, don’t ask!!) I thought of several international, professional athletes… More specifically, I thought about my favorite international athlete (and whether or not I really had one).

After much thought (and the strong wish that I’d only carried one bathing suit [just one!] in my carry on with me for this mystical lay over-[not telling a thing]), I came to the conclusion that I really don’t have just one favorite-although I thought of someone I respected…

That would be Swiss world #1 tennis great Roger Federer. I have to give him his propers (uh, yeah, it’s slang for respect) for being the most consistently dominant force in men’s tennis. Now, just in case you weren’t up on the sports’ news, Federer was just knocked off his throne by Spaniard, Rafael Nadal, in an epic battle for the Wimbledon history books…

You know, I know these things happen, but just like in any other sport, greats come and go, but the presence of who they were at the time will remain forever. So although the king of grass (not so much sovereignty on clay for obvious reasons-he lost) is in a lull, but I’m not ready to count him out.

Long live the king!… I’m going to enjoying the best unexpected lay over ever (still not telling)!

Favorite international player anyone?

Okay, let’s go back in the day (some further back than others… go ahead and laugh)-more specifically, high school. I’d like to know if you played sports (I think cheerleading counts [smile]!). So, what sport did you play and at that time did you think you would still be participating in that sport in adulthood? I mean, you know that guy down the street who always knew he was going to the NFL, right?

Alright, you pulled it out of me… I’ll share! I ran track… the 100 and 4×4 (a little cross country for a while-that was a bit much!), and I was a cheerleader (hence the inclusion above)… B-E-A-GG-R-E-SS-IVE! And yeah (no), I didn’t think I’d be doing any of that today.

Your turn…

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!)!