Mike Hart recently mentioned the new "Sportsmanship Award." And I want to briefly comment on it. First, I'm thrilled with the board's decision. It's about time that our league had a sportsmanship award -- and it's fitting that it's named after Jim Jordan. Not that he was perfect, or an ideal citizen. Few can live up to that. But to those who knew Jim, he always played with a good heart and the best of intentions.
I enjoyed reading the comments on the memory thread shortly after Jim's passing. Somehow it helped. Ray Demers, manager of the A’s, had a line that summed it up for me: That our best tribute would be to play the game with smiles on our faces.
Perhaps Ray was thinking not only of Jim, but also of the topics that had filled our message board immediately prior: The aborted 38 finals, the “smackdown” in the 28 playoffs, the "code of conduct" issues, etcetera. Amidst this, almost in rebuke, we found tributes to Jim Jordan that centered around how he treated people before, during, and after the game.
I believe that these disparite subjects are connected, that they are really one subject, all dancing around the same central idea. For if the shock and devastation of death offers us anything, it is the opportunity to reflect on how we pass our time here on earth. Or, in more pedestrian terms, how we treat each other on and off the playing field. Just men on the planet. Not only who are we going to be, as men, but also what is our league going to be about, what does it say about us, as men.
We’ve already got awards for the “best this” and the “best that.” It is truly great that now our league has established an award that honors a player for best representing the ideals of our league. Playing with a smile and a sense of community, yes, but also with competitive spirit and a desire to win. It would be an award, I guess, for the best balancing act -- the guy who keeps it all in perspective. In a word, sportsmanship.
The Irish have an expression: “flowers for the living.” We shouldn’t have to wait for someone to die before saying something nice about him. Top of my head, I can easily think of a dozen guys who would be deserving of this award, and who would receive it with pride. The best hitter? The best pitcher? We already reward athletic excellence. This one would be different. A way to honor character -- a player who embodies everything we want this league to be.
To me, that beats league MVP. Sure, we'll still have the negative examples of ejections and suspensions, fines and arguments. That stuff happens. No one is perfect. But at least now we'll have the other side of the coin, something positive to celebrate. I think this is a great award, the highest honor. And again I applaud the board for making it happen.
Here! Here! Jim you have said a mouthful. I love playing this game and couldn't agree with you more. I'm learning to appreciate my participation more and more as we see others who become physically unable. If everyone that plays in the league in 2006, makes winning this award their personal goal, then we will all enjoy the best year we have ever had. Having to play 2006 without Jim Jordan, and now Scott Card, will be tough enough. We don't need any more incidents like the 38 Championships and the 28 Yankee-Cubs series. I'm with you all the way on this one! Sounds like a great New Years Resolution to me!
