Courtesy of Larry Doyle
Today I take a break from our normal navigation of the economic landscape to reflect and pay re2pect. This evening the MLB All-Star game will be played in Minneapolis.
Growing up as a sports nut in Boston in the late ’60s and ’70s, one of my favorite days and events of the summer was baseball’s Midsummer Classic. I distinctly recall watching the greats of the game including Al Kaline, Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, our own Carl Yastrzemski, and so many more. I recall as if it were yesterday hoping that whomever represented our Red Sox would have a great game.
While the individual All-Stars and their talents were superb, ultimately the game itself was the real attraction. Playing the game the right way was the thing to be truly admired. What was the virtue on display that seems to have passed as the years have gone by? Respect.
An honest assessment of what transpired within Major League Baseball during the steroid-crazed era of the last few decades would very likely implicate the owners and others charged with maintaining the honor and integrity of the game. Against that backdrop, thankfully we can look to one individual who has certainly played the game the right way. Derek Jeter may play for what Red Sox fans think of as the hated New York Yankees but he is to be held in the highest regard as the model of consistency, discipline, integrity, and re2pect. These virtues are regrettably not seen often enough along many parts of our economic landscape.
This less than 2-minute video clip pays Mr. Jeter the re2pect that he has paid the game of baseball during his illustrious career. I too tip my cap to him.
