Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Alex Rodriguez, and Rafael Palmeiro: What do they have in common? All of them have gotten in trouble for steroids usage or admitted to using them. They were also heroes of mine growing up. As a kid, I loved the game of baseball and I still do. All that I dreamed about was becoming a professional, and I got fairly close, but that’s another story. I know I am not breaking any news here by writing about these guys, but I cannot quit thinking about them.
When Rafael Palmero was suspended for testing positive, I cried. When the Mitchell Report came out, I cried. When Barry Bonds was indicted on perjury charges for lying about using, I cried. When Alex Rodriguez admitted to using steroids, I cried. When Mark McGwire said a few weeks ago that he used them, I cried. I was broken hearted. These guys were my heroes and they admitted to cheating. I was broken-hearted and hurt deeply. I can honestly say that I felt betrayed.
Here’s the thing though: For the longest time my heroes were men. They were ordinary guys who could it a round ball with a round stick hard and far. I am sure that they all were okay guys, who just lost focus of what was important and fell. The thing that comforts me now is having a hero that died and rose from the grave and ascended to heaven. (See 1 Corinthians 15:1-11)
This should be fun, but who did you look up to as a child? Who do you look up to now?
Mickey Mantle was the closest thing to a particular hero, I guess, and that was only because I read a book about him.
Gotcha…I guess it was because we ate and slept for baseball…Some families went on vacations together…we went and hit in our batting cage…
I was a fan of Willie Stargel and Larry Bird when I was a kid.
I am now a fan of people that no one know – people in life that live out Christ day in and day out.
I am also a fan of some athletes but not like I was a kid.
I was never really into basketball…but Stargel…that’s cool…
I love what you said about those who live out Christ day in and day out…
When growing up i wanted to be a professional baseball player. My “heroes” were Roberto Clemente and Felipe Alou. Clemente because he was a Pirate and I lived near Pittsburgh and was a Pirate fan and Alou because he was a Christian. Later I was a big fan of Andy Van Slyke when he played for the Pirates. I particularly followed those who spoke out about their faith. I watch no football or basketball these days and a little baseball. I follow cycling but have found no believers (yet) in the sport. I did follow Lance but cannot idolize any man, especially one who is agnostic. I can be “spiritual” and say I idolize Jesus but that should go without saying. As for the Mark McGwire saga: let the man alone and let him do his job. He still has my admiration for being able to hit the cover off the ball. Thanks for the change of pace Michael.
Clemente and Alou were before my time, but I admire what Clemente did as a person, not just a ball player. As for McGwire and those who came out and apologized…I agree with you, leave them alone…There is a lesson in forgiveness and restoration here…
My childhood hero was Michael Jordan. I loved the bulls growing up, and I thought Jordan brought class along with his skills. At his Hall of Fame inductions speech, I cried, because his classy character wasn’t present. I hate that this is the way that he will be remembered by many, but he is who he is. The only baseball player I admired was Jim Abbott because he played America’s game with one arm/hand. I don’t know how he is as a person, but he has a great testimony.
I too was disappointed about Jordan…Abbott was amazing and an inspiration to many…