Since I was a kid I remember people saying that death comes in threes. Over the years I have seen that seem to come true. Oh course, there are many people who die everyday; which would skew the theory but within certain "universes" it seems to play out accurately.
The "Baseball Universe" has lost three notable members over the past couple of weeks. First there was former player, manager and coach Don Zimmer; then former All-Star pitcher Bob Welch, and now Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.
Of the three, the death of Gwynn was the most shocking to me. Zimmer was older, Bob Welch was not on my radar these days, but Gwynn was active as the baseball coach at San Diego State and was frequently heard and seen on radio and television. He was only 54.
It is tempting to write about the hitting prowess of Gwynn, an 8-time National League batting champion. A .338 lifetime hitter, he ranks 18th on the all-time list. But what struck me most was the way people spoke of him as a man. Hall of Fame player yes...but it appears he was a Hall of Fame human being.
I have heard and read story after story talking about how he was as a teammate, how he responded to the media, his loyalty to the city of San Diego. I have heard about how he made people feel valued and comfortable around him. He was more than a baseball player!
When each of us meets our maker one day, wouldn't it be a shame if all anyone had to say about us was our resume or the stats on the back of a baseball card? It appears that Tony Gwynn was a champion at life.
One never really knows what motivates others actions. But I feel I have known people in my life that do the right thing for the wrong reason. They are concerned about their image or reputation. Their goal is not to actually be of benefit to someone else but to make others see what a great person they are. The person they are helping turns out to be a pawn in their self-promotion.
I want others to think well of me too. As a teacher, this is not going to be 100 percent. There have been times when I have earned the disdain of a student. Other times, well, it goes with the territory. Sometimes, however, you have to forfeit the affection of others in order to do what is best for them. That is when you know if it is being done for the right reason!
I witness my friends and colleagues daily working on behalf of students with selflessness and dedication. They are making an impact that will impact generations! There are no million dollar contracts and they rarely hear the applause of gratefulness.
When a celebrity dies we often feel we have lost someone we know; when in fact we really don't know them at all. There are those occasions when we brush shoulders with celebrity or greatness. Those moments are frozen in our minds. Those moments become our reality. That is why people seek autographs or selfies with famous people.
I never had contact with Don Zimmer, Bob Welch or Tony Gwynn outside of reading about, watching and listening to them in the media. I have to rely on the relationships and the memories of others. I have been touched by the stories being told that have nothing to do with the back of their baseball cards. I am more moved by the love and sense of loss conveyed in the tributes.
So, I am inspired by these three men I have never met. I am inspired today to try to make others feel important and valued. I am inspired to reflect on how others will remember me. Will they look at my resume or will they look at actual results of lives touched. My hope is that there will be more pluses than minuses at the end of the ledger.
MORE THOUGHTS
Tony Gwynn battled oral cancer. It was cancer that he is convinced was caused directly by his use of chewing tobacco and dip. Tobacco products are costly. It was cancer that cost Tony Gwynn his life.
Forget about the proven health risk for a second. Tobacco products are expensive to purchase. Plus, it will cost you money down the road when the need to purchase life insurance arises. One doesn't need to be a smoker to be rated lower; causing higher rates. Dip and other smokeless tobacco enters the blood stream and produces a positive test result. Otherwise healthy young men are spending hundreds/thousands of dollars extra over their lifetime because of this addictive habit...both in product and higher premiums. If you dip...stop. Besides, its disgusting!
FINAL THOUGHT
One of the rarest occurrence in baseball is the triple-play. While considered to be a great accomplishment, lots of bad things had to happen before something good could. The defensive team has opened the door to a big inning by putting at least two runners on base with no one out. The team is in trouble. Then magic happens. Three outs on one play. The cheers are as much out of a sense of relief as celebration.
Of course, there is no joy in the dugout of the team victimized by the triple-play. Opportunity gone!
There is sadness this past couple of weeks in baseball with the passing of three of it's own. For those of us who love baseball and admired them from afar, this certainly was the wrong kind of triple-play.
Thanks for reading.
Jeff
