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6|1|4 9.07p
This weekend I was hanging out talking to my gf and
I started thinking about my tore up knee. I started
thinking about WHY I play basketball and baseball KNOWING
that it will continue to deteriorate my body faster
than nazi looking at the 'ark'. Putting it into words
isn't the easiest thing to do. I'm not sure what to
call it. I'm not sure if it's the battle that we no
longer have. The wars that don't allow guns or technology.
You can take away the ball, shoes, bat, gloves or whatever
else the game requires and it's hand to hand combat.
We choose our weapons based on the sport. My bat is
better than yours. My muscles are stronger, better trained
and I'm smarter and I WILL WIN. It's where victories
are earned and not given in moments. It's a quick reward
to your quick reactions. I still don't know if it's
ego, pride, respect or all of the above. I love the
thought when the other team actually fears you and what
you can do to them. I love when I walk to the plate
and they outfielder not only take a few steps back,
but turn and RUN backwards. Maybe it's just my ego that
loves the strokage. It's a great feeling when the other
team says "do NOT LET HIM SHOOT!". An evil
smile comes up and you KNOW you WILL SHOOT it into their
hearts. It doesn't matter if it's the tournament of
Champions in Utah. The National Six foot and under or
a pickup game at the local park. The feeling is the
same. I will win. I will beat you even if it costs my
sweat, blood and torn ankles. When the stories are told
to your grandkids, your legacy, real or not, will live.
That's why I play. I think Dan says it best. read on.
" I can tell you my greatest
sports moments don’t define who I am. They define
a sub-religious being of expertise that lies within
me. They are the moments when all my senses connect
with my body and transcend me to talents of greatness
in mere seconds. They last for 40 minutes or seven innings
for an announced $ amount, but the balance we feel is
a sub-conscious expertise that completely balances our
lives. The smell of the leather on a star lit night
under the lights of Duke field, bringing out the shoes
and know that sweat and will lay ahead, and just being
a person in group that has no past, no future, no problems,
no bills, brings a sense of complete freedom. With ball,
bat, or other athletic tools, I have complete focus
and control that what I do may bring forth poetry, or
garbage, in mere moments. I know who was present, and
how the experience made me feel. For us living in a
world where experience is common; McDonalds, movies,
CD’s, etc., sports give us individuality where
each experience is a new feel. will lay aheadmon is
first place, McDonalds, movies, CD'riding a rollercoaster,
or m a bag that has traveledSports brings us ours, mine,
us, me, within an environment of a team. Yes, sports
are our way of integrating mind and body to defeat other
men’s wills. It is our way of being the best we
still, and yet, can be. It is the closest we can come
to perfection." - Danny
Beautiful, fucking beautiful.
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