Halls of Fame

Last month, as the newest members of the Baseball Hall of Fame were announced, I recalled meeting two of them, and getting their autographs - Tim Raines and Ivan Rodriguez. I'll admit that other than closely following the Phillies from 2008-2010, I haven't watched much baseball, but with these latest hall-of-famers, there probably aren't more than a handful of those playing now that I could name. I used to know every player and their stats. I was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge when it came to baseball. I'd been a serious baseball card collector from the age of 10. When I tuned in to the 2016 World Series games 6 and 7, it was exciting, from a historical stance, because the Cubs and the Indians had such a history of futility (which as a Phillies fan I could relate to). But I didn't know a single player from either team. I felt lost. I realized that a significant part of my life had been devoted to this game, but that I'd moved on. Even football doesn't hold the appeal it once did. With Peyton Manning retiring, I have no one left to root for there either. The sun is setting on the careers of Dirk Nowitski and Paul Pierce, my last remaining basketball favorites. Neither even played in the 2 games I attended this year.

Cheating is now glorified. Many a cheater has been denied entrance to the Hall of Fame. Pete Rose, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire... all hold records that may never be touched. But not Hall of Fame material because of cheating. So yeah, I do get irked when Tom Brady can be called the greatest quarterback ever. A known, convicted cheater. 

So maybe it's time to stop looking to sports for our heroes. And let Hollywood give each other their own awards (provided they can keep the envelopes straight) . Maybe we should make our own personal "Halls Of Fame." Lets include there people whose lives are worthy of emulation. Those we can look up to, who are free from scandal, who are humble, who go through life day to day without fame or recognition, but who in every respect should be called heroes. Of course, you may find these attributes in some famous people, who haven't let that fame make them a different person. Michael J. Fox comes immediately to mind. 

There are so many who have influence in our lives to choose from. Parents, siblings, teachers, friends, co-workers... Who would make your Hall of Fame?