Wiley Channell(144) Channell Log in to become a member of Wiley Channell's Fan Club!
Dateline Tuesday night July 15 and Wednesday morning July 16, 2008 brought forth one winner not hailed as a winner.
The American League All-Stars bested the National League All-Stars by the score of 4-3 during 15 innings of baseball on this Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning baseball game.
Yankee stadium for 75-years of sterling baseball winners was the scene once more for the American League players to be proclaimed as winners.
The American League was a winner. J.D. Drew of the Boston Red Sox named as the MVP of the game was a winner . A very young pitcher by the name of Kazmir pitched the last inning of the game and was the deciding pitcher as a winner.
A team winner, a MVP winner and a game pitching winner but still none of these are the biggest winner for this 2008 All-Star game. Seems plausible to me all these winners should be proclaimed as the Biggest Winner.
Many times during my writing and talking about the game of baseball there are some things, often part of my musings, which departs from the norm in choosing winners.
By all classical standards the above cited winners are real winners by the box score input and records but some times there are the intangibles which defy qualification for assignment into the record as being winner.
During the 75 years for playing of the classical meeting of the National and American League All-Stars there had never been a record for one player making three (3) fielding errors during a game. Normally such a feat would be looked upon with disdain or at least maybe a bit of empathy.
Dan Uggla playing second base for the National League wearing proudly the uniform of the Florida Marlins had the mantle of three miscues (or fielding errors) gently placed upon his shoulders.
Here is the most classical part of this whole scene witnessed by more than 55,000 fans at Yankee Stadium and Millions more out in the far reaches of television and radio coverage around the World.
Dan Uggla kept his head high even though he was 0 for 4 at the plate and saddled with the three miscues in the field. Never did he leave the hitters box at home plate with an outward act of disgust but rather as a gentleman baseball player.
Playing with a demeanor of calm business like manner he kept his head up and in the game and if one had payed particular close attention to his body language on the routine hopper he fielded and forced a runner out at the plate you saw a player worth his salt.
He showed a determined grit to be sure handed and deliberate like he was taught from his early youth of ball playing.
The bottom line with negative aura all around Dan Uggla proved he had the "want to" the "attitude" and the "instilled pride" to leave the field head held high and proving once again It's not the score which makes a winner.
Dan Uggla completed the game at Yankee stadium as the All-Star Game 2008 "Biggest Winner."
Major Wiley B. Channell USMC (ret) born Argo, Alabama schooled Argo grammar school until family moved to Trussville, Alabama. Graduated Hewitt-Trusville High School 1954. Auburn University Bachelor of Science 1959. Commissioned 2nd Lt. USMC upon completion Officer Candidate Course Quantico, Virginia 1959.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
