Passion

It happened so fast if you got up off the couch for a beverage you would have missed it. Astounding, how somethng that happens inthe blink of an eye can change history. Maybe that's the way it always is, there's a flash of lightening and history is forever altered. Richard the III is unhorsed on Bosworth Field, a young, already soul-sick Austrian youth named Adolf is unmercifully a butt of cruel teasing. Who can say? Although it takes a pathologically obsessed Red Sox fan to even suggest it, I witnessed such a moment watching a baseball game on a Saturday afternoon. And even if it didn't change world history, it certainly changed a storied baseball franchise and the lore of major league baseball forever. It was a hot, weekend afternoon, mid-summer 2004. I was sitting in front of the TV set watching a listless Red Sox team get man-handled by the star studded New York Yankees, amazing what the richest media market in the world can do for a sports franchise. Anyway, it was sometime in the middle of the game, Yankee third baseman A-Rod was crossing in front of Red Sox catcher Jason Veritek. Somebody said something to somebody, Veritek claims Rodregiz said it, a statement hotly contsted by the Yankee. Regardless, the Red Sox catcher bounded up like someone dropped a lit match in his back pocket. Facing A-Rod he gave jim a push, the Yankee, surprised, pushed back, the benches ran on the field and although it didn't take long for order to be re-establshed, when all things were settled the energy exhibitied by the Red Sox was startling. I suggest that this was the turning point in the 2004 season for the Sox. After 86 years the Red Sox won the World Series, after taking 4 strat from the Yankees in the American League playoffs. And although I never read that he said it, I'm sure that Veritek knew exactly what he was doing. Passion. Last week I flipped channels between a Nationals game and a Red Sox game. There was no comparison, the Red Sox looked like they were in last place in the Zombie league, and the Nats were on fire, stretcing singles into doubles, diving for line drives. Passion. Where doe it come from? How can one get it? Did Veritek really manufacture a situation that would ignite a World Series campionship? I don't think anyone really knows the answers. But I do know that if you've got it, food tastes better, colors are brighter and there's something to get up for every morning. I know that the people, probably the only people who really make a difference, for better and for worse are the passionate ones. Look at the characters in the Bible. Samson was passionate, so was Jael, Ruth, Ezekiel, and for sure, Jesus. But Peter ws passionate too, and so was Paul. So what's your passion? Who are you willing to "mess with?" Once it's unleashed passion is a flash flood, washing out bridges, overwhelming the banks, but how deflating life would be without it, like giving up seven runs in the top of the first. So thanks Tek, it was a great play.