Column #2: Champions

We on the shore.

We in the seats.

We watch the game played before us though glass windows.

We think we know the game and how to play it but unless confetti has fallen on our heads on some big stage somewhere, we really don’t know…

…don’t know how it is to be the one to turn your back and walk off the stage while listening to the cheers.

It is a long walk.

Lonely.

Filled with “what-ifs,” and “should-of.”

Championships are built on moments of victory, those with the most moments, win.

Luck matters some, but talent matters more.

One will win, many more will not.

Catch 15 fish with the most weight and a banner with your name on it will hang in the rafters.

The record books will have a page for you, you’ll sell more lures, sign more jerseys, children will want to be like you.

Champions, the best of them, are champions both on and off the field of play. Be that.

Do not believe that you became a champion because of a good three days.

Your path to the confetti shower began with whomever held your hand and walked you down to the river so long ago.

Every cast you ever made got you to this point.

Your family, your sponsors, your fans got you to this point.

Godspeed to all of you who take to the championship water these next three days.

Take a moment and look around, there is no guarantee you’ll ever be back.

Moments of victory come to but a few.

Now is your moment, grab it, wrestle it, hang on tight to it.

Babe Ruth was the strike-out king for many, many years but he said that every strike-out brought him closer to the next home run.

Your home run awaits.

We on the shore.

We in the seats.

We watch the game played before us through glass windows.

And we wish, it was us out there.

db