More baseball perspective on perseverance in the face of failure: perfection at the plate, (rarely ever reached), is .400 hitting. Ted Williams was the last MLB player to hit .400 in 1941. “Perfect” means failing 6 times out of 10. Any game that teaches humility with standards like that inspires admiration for those who play.
In my opinion, the MLB player who most closely achieved perfection in his role was Mariano Rivera. He also teaches us a lesson. When he allowed a home run to a batter he would not dwell on it but would quickly regroup, learn from his mistake, and face the next batter with the full force of his concentration.
Mookie Betts is one of my favorite active players. On field he does everything with grace, agility and superior efficiency. And he models decency on and off the field.
This is more than outstanding work. This essay is inspiring and is something you should have more widely published.
You live that near Yankee Stadium, today? Did I read this correctly? If so, that is awesome. You may know that I grew up in the Bronx. Going to see the Yankees was routine for all if us back in the "day." Tickets were cheap and I remember having great fun. On one occasion, as we were leaving after the game I caught a glimpse of Mel Allen in the broadcast studio with a full glass of beer that he was not drinking. Anyway, you have stirred with me an endless number of wonderful memories. Thank you for this great post.
Thanks for your kind words. I live in Bergen County, 20 mins from the Stadium. We used to go a lot when I was younger. Remarkably, my mother caught a ball hit by Mickey Mantle. My Dad was in college with Mel Allen, two Jewish kids at University of Alabama.
I wrote Mickey a fan letter in 1957 when I was 10 years old. His reply is framed in my office.
Ted Williams hit .388 in 1957 at the age of 40. An analysis was once done showing if he were just one step faster he would have hit about .410
More baseball perspective on perseverance in the face of failure: perfection at the plate, (rarely ever reached), is .400 hitting. Ted Williams was the last MLB player to hit .400 in 1941. “Perfect” means failing 6 times out of 10. Any game that teaches humility with standards like that inspires admiration for those who play.
In my opinion, the MLB player who most closely achieved perfection in his role was Mariano Rivera. He also teaches us a lesson. When he allowed a home run to a batter he would not dwell on it but would quickly regroup, learn from his mistake, and face the next batter with the full force of his concentration.
Mookie Betts is one of my favorite active players. On field he does everything with grace, agility and superior efficiency. And he models decency on and off the field.
Now that MLB has incorporated statistics from the Negro Leagues, the last to hit .400 were Willard Brown and Artie Wilson in 1948.
This is more than outstanding work. This essay is inspiring and is something you should have more widely published.
You live that near Yankee Stadium, today? Did I read this correctly? If so, that is awesome. You may know that I grew up in the Bronx. Going to see the Yankees was routine for all if us back in the "day." Tickets were cheap and I remember having great fun. On one occasion, as we were leaving after the game I caught a glimpse of Mel Allen in the broadcast studio with a full glass of beer that he was not drinking. Anyway, you have stirred with me an endless number of wonderful memories. Thank you for this great post.
Thanks for your kind words. I live in Bergen County, 20 mins from the Stadium. We used to go a lot when I was younger. Remarkably, my mother caught a ball hit by Mickey Mantle. My Dad was in college with Mel Allen, two Jewish kids at University of Alabama.
I wrote Mickey a fan letter in 1957 when I was 10 years old. His reply is framed in my office.
That is awesome