DEREK JETER In the article, “Derek Sanderson Jeter,” the Biography Resource Center Online illustrates how Derek Jeter became an all-star shortstop with a winning personality that has won the hearts of many Americans. He was born in Pequannock, New Jersey, but at age four he moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. His family was very supportive of him. His mother and father, Dorothy and Charles, attended as many of his little league baseball games as possible. Even today, Derek has a very family oriented lifestyle.
The elementary forms of sports fandom: A Durkheimian exploration of team myths, kinship, and totemic rituals was written by Michael Serazio. In this essay he explores the myths, kinship, and rituals of Philadelphia Phillies fans during their historic 2008 World Series victory in the United States' professional baseball league using Durkheimian's theoretical framework. Many fans adored the Philadelphia's and were die hard fans for them. They felt honered to be cheering for that team, and were not afraid to show it. There were countless many fans branded with the totemic badge of unity: that tribal mark that had long symbolized unrequited devotion, the Philies logo of Philadephia's professional baseball team (Serazio 2013 pg.1).
In 2008, he was the homerun champion; launching 28 balls out of the ball park. As of now he is playing in the Major League Baseball World Series. People told him his whole life he could not, but due to dedication he is one of the elite players of his league. The best athletes in the world have an incredible amount of dedication. It is not easy, but it definitely pays off in the end.
Home Run Ruth Babe Ruth is one of the most idolized players in, not only baseball, but sports history. He is one of the most referred to and most idolized players and is compared to some of the greats today. He is the reason why baseball it is today. It is easy to say he was a joy to play with but hated to play against. He changed the game of baseball by focusing on strength and power, his record setting career, and his over the top personality.
How to Play Baseball If you live in the United States, it is probably a good idea that you understand America’s pastime. What is America’s pastime you ask? America’s pastime is the great game of baseball, promptly named after it’s prominence in 19th and 20th century American history, as well as today. The origin of organized baseball can be traced to the early 1840’s, but the first official league was made in 1876. Baseball has been my favorite sport since the age of 5, and even though I no longer play it is still one of my passions and hobbies.
I had to prove my skills to my new coaches because I was smaller than the rest of the kids and didn’t have the same knowledge or experience they did. After try-outs my new coach had approached my dad and told him that they where very excited to have me on there team, and with time and practice my skill would improve even more. The hardest part of playing with the older kids was that I was no longer hitting a ball of the T, but now the kids where the pitchers. Even after practice 4 days a week my dad would take me to the park and throw, what seemed like a hundred baseballs, to me and I would practice my hitting. It didn’t take long for my hand-eye coordination to develop and hitting a baseball thrown at me was no longer a problem.
Fernando Valenzuela For my Hispanic Heritage assignment I chose the great Dodger pitcher, Fernando Valenzuela. I decided to write about the Dodger legend because both my dad and grandpa would always tell me how much they loved the way Fernando Valenzuela pitched. They especially loved it when the Dodgers won the World Series in 1981 against the Yankees behind Fernando’s pitching. A reason why Fernando Valenzuela was famous was because he won the “Rookie of The Year,” and the “CY Young Award,” all in one year. Fernando’s first full season in 1981, this was also his greatest achievement as a Hispanic person.
They specialize in baseball equipment but also manufacture basketballs, softballs, training equipment as well as American footballs. As one of the favored companies in the baseball community, Rawlings has left its stamp on the baseball world. For instance one of their gloves series is called the gold glove series. In major league baseball, a Gold Glove Award is given to each position player who is the best at his position defensively compared to every other player that plays his position. Many players in baseball’s Hall of Fame have multiple Gold Glove Awards.
Sports athletes are unique people. Once they reach the pinnacle of success and are known to the world, they symbolize and represent the communities in which they are from. Pierre Garcon was an underrated player for the Indianapolis Colts. And in 2010 when he recorded an NFL record eleven receptions in the conference championship game, he gave some happiness back to the Haitians who had just lost their world to the tragic earthquake. Garcon is a hero, not because of the way he performed when his country was in turmoil, but because of the way he was able to go out, strap on his pads, and proudly represent his people despite being affected emotionally by the earthquake.
I played soccer, basketball, and baseball for years, but I soon found my passion on the diamond. I’ve played baseball for 16 years now, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. There really is nothing like standing on the mound 60 feet 6 inches away from the enemy. It’s just you and the batter locked in a battle. I know through years of personal experience that sports are so much more than a game.