Put me in coach! I'm ready to play!
I saw that Johnny Damon mooned Sox fans today and signed with the Yanks. After shaking my head and retching a little bit on yet more rancid Yankees/ Red Sox tripe, I started to wonder why the guy would do it. Money? I suppose. But I don't think the Yanks were offering much more than the Sox.
My theory? Okay, perhaps it's an idealistic and naive one but I like to think that deep down in the heart of hearts of most American boys growing up, we've all had at least one occasion to dream of playing center field for the Yankees. It is perhaps the most hallowed position in sports, maybe only to be rivaled by the position of quarterback at Notre Dame.
There's a Rumpus question for our dozen readers. Which position in team sports do you believe to be the most prestigious and hallowed? I welcome anyone who can convince me that there's another position in the league of the two I've mentioned. Actually, I won't welcome you, cuz you can't convince me. What? Tailback at USC? Two initials -- O.J. (and this from a huge USC fan). Middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears? So old school. Center for the Lakers? get real.
Okay so if it's down to Yankee center fielder vs. Notre Dame quarterback, I'm gonna go with...QB at ND. This may shock many who know me as a bona fide Notre Dame hater but there it is (and yes I'm catholic and no I'm pretty sure I'm not going to hell for saying it).
I base my decision on this: If I'm being introduced to someone at a party, which would I take more pride in while it was being mentioned? "Did you know Wonderdog here once played center field for the Yankees?" Ah, very nice. Gives me chills. I love it. But. "Did you know that Wonderdog played quarterback at Notre Dame?" 'Nuff said. That's the one. That's it. And I'm sure you don't want to know why but I'm gonna tell you anyway. Because, to me, it says great American scene and it gives me a glorious role in it.
By the way, go Buckeyes. Beat those lousy Irish.
My theory? Okay, perhaps it's an idealistic and naive one but I like to think that deep down in the heart of hearts of most American boys growing up, we've all had at least one occasion to dream of playing center field for the Yankees. It is perhaps the most hallowed position in sports, maybe only to be rivaled by the position of quarterback at Notre Dame.
There's a Rumpus question for our dozen readers. Which position in team sports do you believe to be the most prestigious and hallowed? I welcome anyone who can convince me that there's another position in the league of the two I've mentioned. Actually, I won't welcome you, cuz you can't convince me. What? Tailback at USC? Two initials -- O.J. (and this from a huge USC fan). Middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears? So old school. Center for the Lakers? get real.
Okay so if it's down to Yankee center fielder vs. Notre Dame quarterback, I'm gonna go with...QB at ND. This may shock many who know me as a bona fide Notre Dame hater but there it is (and yes I'm catholic and no I'm pretty sure I'm not going to hell for saying it).
I base my decision on this: If I'm being introduced to someone at a party, which would I take more pride in while it was being mentioned? "Did you know Wonderdog here once played center field for the Yankees?" Ah, very nice. Gives me chills. I love it. But. "Did you know that Wonderdog played quarterback at Notre Dame?" 'Nuff said. That's the one. That's it. And I'm sure you don't want to know why but I'm gonna tell you anyway. Because, to me, it says great American scene and it gives me a glorious role in it.
By the way, go Buckeyes. Beat those lousy Irish.
posted by Wonderdog | 12:15 AM | Permalink
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9 comments
9 Comments:
I would put "Any Position For The St. Louis Cardinals" ahead of your choices, but that is just me. And I have NEVER had a fantasy about playing for the Yankees.
Wonderdog, How Dare You?!!!!!!!!!!
PS. I checked with a priest and you ARE going to hell for those ND remarks.
"Did you know Wonderdog here took gold on floor in the Sydney Olympics and led the US mens gymnastics team to their first ever team gold medal? Oh, yes, John Roethlisberger was just heartbroken."
Nahhh, I *am* a Notre Dame fan, of sorts, and I'd rather say I played centerfield for the Yankees.
CIV, we forgot about the Olympics ... What is the single specific gold medal you would like to be able to say you had? There's no contest on that one for me.
Hint: 1980. Lake Placid.
Who can beat Nadia Comaneci, who scored seven perfect 10s in '76? Or Mark Spitz, who won seven gold medals in '72? I guess I can't pick one medal -- I want them all.
I also have a soft spot for Scott Hamilton, who was a great skater even as an "old guy" and seems also to be a nice person.
I love Scott Hamilton, CIV (nice article). And Comaneci and Spitz managed great individual achievements.
But nothing beats the Miracle on Ice.
Oh, I almost forgot Baseball's Iron Man, Cal Ripken Jr. He's a local and another good guy of sports.
BTW, John Roethlisberger seems to be a good guy, too. He actually came to meet and sign autographs for a local YMCA gymnastics team that consists of fewer than 30 girls (ages 6-16). He didn't have to do that. There are certainly much bigger and more competitive gyms around here.
Now that's more like it, CV. I love big Ben and, as a youth, I always idolized Cal. They don't make shortstops like that anymore.
I was concerned that talk of Yankee baseball and Notre Dame football had degenerated into a Scott Hamilton love-fest. Glad to see your next comment steered us back on track. I was afraid Brian Boitano was next up! Sheesh.
That's Brian MANtano to you, Wonderdog.
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