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February 6, 2008 |
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Pro athletes. Occasionally, they refuse to become self absorbed, egomaniacal, twits. It’s rare, but it does happen. The soon to be eleven year old grandson of our clan, he’s been a baseball fanatic almost since the crib, received, for him, the perfect Christmas gift. His folks enrolled Blake in the Matt Holiday Baseball Camp. Giddy didn’t begin to describe his mood or anticipation. The parents had their doubts. They’d been around enough pros to almost expect a shortchanging. It happens way to regularly. They’ve witnessed a Bronco who promised to attend a youth football camp except his (cough-cough) plane missed connections and a Denver Nugget appearance that found the star signing autographs as promised, but all the while talking on his cell phone and pointedly ignoring those who stood in line to share a moment with a basketball fave. Here in Grand Junction at a Rockies gathering a few years back, an appearance by the newly signed Denny Naegle was promised. Denny didn’t show. Rockies officials apologized but said Mr. Naegle had an urgent “family” matter preventing his catching a plane to our side of the hill. Colorado isn’t that big a state. Word travels. It turns out the same night as Mr. Naegle’s “urgent family matter” he was spending the evening with buddies at a Denver eatery. Simply put, Mr. Naegle blew off over 500 Grand Junction fans. But last month, the Blakester grabbed his bat and glove and, heart pounding, headed out to learn from the best. For once that excitement was rewarded. His Dad e-mailed, “The Matt Holiday baseball clinic was terrific. Very rarely in Colorado do kids get to have such first class baseball instruction, especially in January. I can only say that, unfortunately, in this day and age it’s easy to be jaded when you see an ad for a “clinic” put on by a major leaguer. But Matt Holiday and his family did a great service to about 100 Colorado kids. Matt was there both days from early morning to late afternoon and was as engaged as the rest of the coaches. The “stars” of the clinic were Matt, his father Tom, the associate head coach at North Carolina State, Matt’s uncle Dave, a Rockies scout and his brother Josh, on the staff at Arizona State. The clinic/ camp was well organized by Marc Johnson. He’s the very successful former Cherry Creek High coach who now has a terrific indoor baseball facility out by Centennial Airport. I was so impressed at the detail involved in the instruction, the fundamentals and the take home value. It would have been easy for these guys to “mail it in” but they rolled up their sleeves and gave two full days of instruction to kids who were not only eager to learn but also infatuated with seeing one of their heroes up close and personal.” I have no idea whether Matt Holiday will be a long time Rockie. Major League baseball is, after all, a business. But now we know it is not a sport entirely populated by cheaters and arrogant bums. And if you don’t believe me, there’s a Front Range ten year old who will set you straight. Todd Helton is still number one on his horizon but Matt Holiday, in just two days, moved up to 1B. And to Mr. Holiday, thanks for being what so many pro athletes can’t seem to handle, a good person. |