Vic Power was a slick fielding first baseman for the Cleveland Indians in
the late 1950s and early 60's.
In his 12 year major league career he had five .300 seasons, and belted
126 home runs. Suffice to say that had Vic played in the year 2002,
he would have made a bit more than the $40,000 a year he earned at the
time.
But the big first baseman was more than a good ballplayer. Vic Power was the "king" of grandstanding.
In fact Vic was so proficient at fielding the ball between his legs,
flipping it behind his back, and otherwise displaying unnecessary acts of
athletic prowess, that he earned a nickname. His nickname was "Showboat."
Vic's acts of showmanship, although appreciated by some fans, were not
applauded by a lot of players in the American League, and that included
some of his teammates. In the era of Vic Power, baseball was a
game-- not a "show."
When a routine play became a curtain call in the 1960's,
people became upset. Such behavior represented a breech of ethics.
In fact it was considered bad behavior. You see it is
sometimes necessary to make a diving catch in baseball, and on
occasion even back hand a line drive, or flip a ball behind one's back.
When such a play occurs, it justifiably draws applause.
But doing so, when simpler motion can achieve the same results,
is called showboating. It not only brings unwarranted attention to the
player involved, it degrades the efforts of other players.
That of course was the attitude of a generation gone by.
Today we see Michael Jordan on a break away,
flying through the air faking out non existent defenders, and ending his
acrobatic effort with a slam dunk.
Kind of like Elgin Baylor used to do forty years ago when he had three
defenders to beat, and time running out.
Elgin could easily have put the same mustard on his dunks when he was open
under the hoop, but why waste the effort. And more importantly why
humiliate your opponent? After all had your opponent not showed up that
night, you wouldn't have scored a single point.
Football of course has joined the folly. Today a single tackle is cause
for celebration. Forget the fact that your team is behind by fifty points,
and you have been drilled into the ground on the previous nineteen plays.
Just make a helmet to helmet hit after the running back gains seven yards,
and it's time to announce to the world exactly what you have done!
Pound your chest, scream "me, me, me," and show the world you are
totally unaware of the scoreboard.
It may indicate low IQ, but when time comes to re negotiate the contract
you signed, but had no intention of honoring, your agent can include it in
his film clips.
Sadly NASCAR is a victim of this same selfish mentality.
Ever see a Victory Lane celebration at a recent Winston Cup event?
Let's see, first we take a Winston Cup stock car that costs more than a
Rolls Royce, and destroy it! Throw that baby in low gear,
run the RPM's through the roof, ruin the rear end, the transmission,
the clutch, the engine, and burn away a set of $1,200 tires.
In the process be sure to grind up $1,000 worth of infield turf that some
poor guy spent hours carefully manicuring for the track owner.
Yeah it will take him a dozen man hours, and some hard physical labor
to "repair" the track from your celebratory effort, but why not?
You are "The Man." No need to drive quietly into Victory Circle,
shake hands, thank sponsors, show a little humility, and go home with a
cocky grin on your face. Sure a few million people saw it on national
television, but they probably don't REALLY remember who won.
In just a few short minutes you can prove to the world that you have
total disregard for the groundskeeper, your car owners, your sponsors,
and the crowd that watched you win. After all a lot of people made
money today because of YOU. It's your day in the sun.
And when you get right down to it, the groundskeeper wouldn't have a job if
SOMEBODY didn't tear up his work, and disrespect his efforts.
Yes, society has changed. The "greatest generation" is leaving us at the
rate of 1,000 people a day, and the baby boomers are enjoying a
lifestyle no one ever expected. Perhaps they, and not the under
40 crowd are really to blame.
But somehow, somewhere, somebody goofed.
The true meaning of sport may not have been lost,
but it sure seems to be missing from time to time. Even when the
"good old boys" tee it up at Daytona.
|
Copyright ©2002 Jeff Gordon Online All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of U.S. copyright law. |
