catlover79
02-13-2007, 01:40 AM
One of my biggest memories of my high school years is the resurgence of Cleveland, OH. I live 30 miles east of the city and when I was growing up it was like a cesspool. Not for nothing was the city nicknamed the "mistake by the lake". But when I was 14-15 Jacobs Field was built, and the Indians went on to an incredible run that lasted several years. All 4 of my high school years they were in the playoffs, and during my sophomore and senior years, went to the World Series (and lost :( ). Some of my fondest memories of high school are if an afternoon playoff game came on during school hrs, the teachers would turn the radio on and we could listen to the game while doing math problems or whatnot.
In late 1996, the Indians traded for Milwaukee Brewers infielder Kevin Seitzer. Right away I got such a kick out of watching this guy play. Despite chronically bad knees he hustled out every single ground ball, and was always the first out of the dugout to high five a player scoring a run. He was such a ball of energy.
Every year the church youth group went to the games sponsored by Youth for Christ. Either before or after the game, several Indians players spoke to the youth groups about their Christian faith. About 3 weeks after the trade, Kevin Seitzer spoke at this event and was so emotional and eloquent that I cried myself listening to him.
The next year, 1997, he was basically a bench player. Still, I looked forward to whenever he did get a start. Right before the playoffs, he had to have an appendectomy and sprained an ankle in BP. He retired at the end of that season without that World Champion ring he wanted so much, but went on to run a baseball school in KC and is now the new hitting coach for the Diamondbacks, I recently read. Good for him.
I have a picture of him at bat for the Tribe that was personally signed and inscribed to me. Kevin Seitzer was a role model for me on how to deal with injuries, setbacks and how to give your job your all. He helped show me the importance of faith, endurance and a sense of humor. :)
In late 1996, the Indians traded for Milwaukee Brewers infielder Kevin Seitzer. Right away I got such a kick out of watching this guy play. Despite chronically bad knees he hustled out every single ground ball, and was always the first out of the dugout to high five a player scoring a run. He was such a ball of energy.
Every year the church youth group went to the games sponsored by Youth for Christ. Either before or after the game, several Indians players spoke to the youth groups about their Christian faith. About 3 weeks after the trade, Kevin Seitzer spoke at this event and was so emotional and eloquent that I cried myself listening to him.
The next year, 1997, he was basically a bench player. Still, I looked forward to whenever he did get a start. Right before the playoffs, he had to have an appendectomy and sprained an ankle in BP. He retired at the end of that season without that World Champion ring he wanted so much, but went on to run a baseball school in KC and is now the new hitting coach for the Diamondbacks, I recently read. Good for him.
I have a picture of him at bat for the Tribe that was personally signed and inscribed to me. Kevin Seitzer was a role model for me on how to deal with injuries, setbacks and how to give your job your all. He helped show me the importance of faith, endurance and a sense of humor. :)