The Meaning of Life

I have had time to reflect what throwing out the first pitch meant to me and it has made me philosophical about the game of baseball. There are few things as timeless as our national pastime. Little has changed in the game that I started playing when I was a small boy. As a child I struggled to learn the rules and become proficient in the skills necessary to be a successful baseball player. I dreamt of playing Major League Baseball as every kid does. After years of playing the game I loved, I knew I would never realize my dream. But rather than dwell on my lost innocence, I focused my energy on other endeavors. I now have a successful career, a beautiful wife and five adoring children. I have all that I could possibly ask for. I know the experience of throwing out the first pitch was much more profound for me than anyone one else in attendance. I will replay the pitch and the events leading up to it over and over in my mind for the rest of my life.

There are not many people who can say they stood before a sell-out crowd at a Major League Baseball game and threw out the first pitch. Especially if the pitch was the last game of the inaugural season of a franchise, I am very honored that the Arizona Diamondbacks allowed me that opportunity. Hearing the crowd cheer as I threw the ball was a wonderful experience. But when I listened with my heart, the cheers and the love from my wife and children drowned out 48,390 screaming fans. I would not trade the experiences and memories I have of this season for anything. I have been able to share my love of baseball with my children and hopefully I have helped them to know their father a little better. My family will be lifetime baseball fans because of the magical summer we spent at Bank One Ballpark. These 81 games erased all the negativity associated with modern day baseball. This season was not about labor relations, revenue sharing, free agency or stadium issues. This was about the traditional rite of passage where one generation passes their knowledge of baseball to another. It is about young children anxiously waiting for their favorite player to sign their baseball cards, for cheering on the rookies just starting or seeing the veterans give their all one last year. Mostly, this game to me has been about escaping the daily problems and stress each of us face to spend a few short hours reliving the dreams we had and sharing them with our children.

In many ways, life imitates baseball. Success cannot always be measured in wins and losses but rather how well we maximize our opportunities to achieve our goals. Regardless of how unobtainable these goals seem they are within our grasp with hard work and perseverance. Baseball can be a comforting force in life. It provides eternal hope each spring as fans intently watch their teams begin the season. It takes us through the dog days of summer and bridges our lives from summer to fall. Along the way we ride a roller coaster of emotions as the team wins and loses. At times, the outcome of the season is disappointing, but we stand by the team and give them our support. Unexpected and exciting events occur over the course of 162 games and sometimes, good things happen, even if you are just a guy from section 107.