Bobby Thomson 1923-2010

It was a sunny day at The Polo Grounds in post World War II New York. Back then the Dodgers were from Brooklyn, the Giants were from New York, and National League pennant games were played during the daytime. We have all seen the same timeless scenario in movies. Bottom of the ninth inning and the home team trailing, with hope fading away with every pitch the opposing team deals. With one out, runners on first and third, his team behind three to five, and a one-one count, Bobby Thomson swung away. Faster than the crowd could rise to their feet the ball sailed over the left field wall. And on October 3rd, 1951 Russ Hodges simply screamed into a broadcast microphone, what he just witnessed. The Giants have won the pennant.

"The Shot Heard 'Round The World" forever put a stamp on why the great American Pastime will always be the sport of unwritten drama. Fair in form and pure no one person could ever write or direct anything that captures the comparison of life like Baseball. Ups and downs, fear and confidence, triumph and tragedy all captured within the span of nine innings. But perhaps most of all it is the one split second moment that reminds us that heroes do not need to come with capes or machine guns. That moment where someone can take one...last...swing at it. In Baseball, like life, you are only as defeated as your attitude, and it never too late to change the tides.

It has bee over 58 years since Bobby Thomson danced around the bases before being hoisted onto the shoulders of his teammates. The Dodgers are now in Los Angeles. The Giants are the Mets. Playoff games are played at optimal Television viewing time. And on August 16th, 2010 the man who hit "The Shot Heard 'Round The World" peacfully past away in his sleep. Though memory and media forever immortalized.

Note: I know it happened 5 days ago, I drive trucks and could not write this until now.