Final Day in Firenze!

“Life moves pretty fast sometimes. 

If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, 

you may miss it.” - Ferris Bueller

About this time a year ago, one of my closest friends and I decided to apply for our school’s study abroad program in Florence, Italy. To this day, I still don’t know what spurred this decision outside of pure curiosity.

After approximately four months living out a fairytale and seeing the world, I’m coming home. It’s as bittersweet a feeling as they come, and at the moment I’m sitting in the beautiful Boboli Gardens trying to come up with a way to sum this all up best.

For the first half of this trip, I documented every relevant occurrence in my journal. The schoolwork picked up tremendously towards the latter half of the semester, and I didn’t have time to carve my memories into stone, but needless to say this was the greatest experience of my life. And it could not have come at a better time.

Before I left home, I hit a breaking point. I felt like I was growing up faster and faster every day. I developed unhealthy habits, and my life fell into routine: Drive to school, go to class, eat, go to work, eat, rinse, Netflix, sleep, repeat. For someone who has dressed up as Peter Pan not once, but twice for Halloween, this was nowhere near the lifestyle I wanted to have. I didn’t know what I wanted, and my Bachelor’s degree was around the corner; approaching closer at every turn.

So I went abroad… and to be honest, I didn’t really put too much thought into it. I didn’t know what to expect, what to bring, and more importantly how it would affect me. I just did it. 

I sit here today having visited ten different countries; nine more than I had before February. I sledded down the Alps in Switzerland, let my feet dangle at the edge of the Cliffs of Moher, and oversaw Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower. I drank a stein in the same tent Oktoberfest is annually held, went inside the Roman Colosseum, and took a picture with the Mona Lisa. As my friends can attest to; I’ve almost become numb to seeing incredible mountain ranges, gorgeous churches, and breathtaking cityscapes. But above all of these wonderful privileges, I got to live in Firenze.

Firenze is pretty dirty, smelly, and gross sometimes; I'll be honest . But wouldn’t you be too if you were over  a thousand years old? It’s crazy to think that a vast majority of the buildings I’ve walked past every day are considerably older than our entire country. Il Duomo is still my favorite building I’ve seen on this trip, and I don’t think it’s even a close competition. It towers over every other building with strength and robust, and its red color represents the heart of this city. I didn’t get to see everything I would’ve liked to see here, but I saw enough to not have any major regrets. Oh, and the food, you may ask? It lived up to the hype, and then some.

I put myself out there and met a lot of really good people. The Lorenzo ‘de Medici Institute had its obvious flaws, but its ability to unite people from all over the globe throughout this journey was impressive. I probably won’t see many of them ever again, but I enjoyed the time we shared. 

The most I’ve gained from this trip (outside of weight, here’s your fair warning) has been knowledge. I’ve learned way more here than I’ve ever learned in school, and I’m not talking about in my classes. My memory may defeat me when trying to recollect bits and pieces from all of the museums and historical sites I’ve visited, but I can proudly say I know much more about the world than I did before this trek overseas. It is the best history book you can find, after all.

I’ve learned a lot about myself, too. I miss my friends and family dearly, so obviously this sort of thing won’t happen too frequently in the future unless they’re by my side. However, I've become more independent than ever, which I didn’t know was possible until I started to take advantage of this opportunity on my own. There is nothing more thrilling than taking the road less traveled and discovering what lies within your trail. Unless, of course, it takes you into the attic of a strange Buddhist man in Pisa (it's not what you think); which is a story for another day.

It takes a lot of persistence and patience to immerse yourself in an unknown culture. At first, I believed I could fit in and become "one of them", but considering how much I struggled with my Elementary Italian course I soon realized this was impossible. I'm in a better position now than I was those first few days, but still a tourist when all is said and done.

Before I wrap this up, here are a few travel tips I've pieced together while in Europe:

1. ALWAYS pack your passport before anything else.

2. You do not wash your hands in a bidet.

3. Avoid all you can eat (and drink) buffets if you lack self-control.

4. Don't plan too many trips in advance until you know what to expect with classes

5. Take a cooking class. Seriously, they're awesome, and I'm no chef.

6. Don't expect high quality restaurant recommendations from trip companies

7. When you know you're not capable of doing something, don't sign up!

8. When an Irish man asks you if "you know", you better start to do a jig.

9. If you're sitting around in your apartment all day and it isn't for homework related reasons, you're wasting your time.

10. Expect to come home broke and fat.

Traveling isn't for everyone, but it is something that everyone should at least try to do when they have the chance. I've been told so many times by family members and what not that they wished they could've gone abroad when they were younger. I was fortunate enough to do this because of my incredible family, who I can't thank enough for allowing me such a life-changing opportunity. The world is so much more than a little town in upstate New York to me now, and I'm so blessed to be able to say that.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Ciao Firenze! Until we meet again.

A New Chapter for Fiorentina Baseball

Baseball may be "America's Pastime", but its origin may have even come before the United States declared their Independence from Great Britain. In fact, some even say that American baseball has just been an advancement of several European games deriving from as early as the 18th century. While football is clearly the dominant sport of Europe today, baseball does still play a role throughout.

Unbeknownst to many, in 1948 the Italian Baseball League (IBL) was formed. The league consists of teams throughout "the boot" and bases its headquarters in Rome. Some Italian towns place higher importance on the game than others; particularly nearby the nation's capital in Nettuno and in the northern Emilia Romagna region (specifically in Bologna).

Nettuno and Bologna dominated the IBL in its early goings until playoffs were introduced in 1986. Both teams have remained successful since the switch, but the addition of playoffs have allowed for others to share the spotlight.

One of Italy's up and coming teams is SSD Fiorentina, whom I have had the pleasure of learning about through relief pitcher and outfielder Daniele Sassoli.

Daniele Sassoli is used to having his
father Federico on his side

Sassoli, 22, started playing for the Fiorentina organization when he was 10 years old. His father, Federico Sassoli; has helped coach each of Daniele's teams, including this year's team. Federico played for Fiorentina when they last won the pennant, and stopped following baseball until Daniele began playing as a child. Their current head coach, Marco Duimovich; was on track to become one of Florence's all time great players growing up, but shoulder and ankle injuries halted his path. His involvement in baseball has given him a unique mentality that he hopes to pass on to his players.

Fiorentina is currently set in the IBL's Serie B, which makes it part of the highest minor league level. As with many other European sport structures, teams can rise and fall from level to level based on performance, which takes away the safety net that major American sport leagues have for its weaker teams. However, they are quickly becoming of the best teams in their region thanks in part to the contributions and sacrifices made by former Team President Pier Paolo Vita. Unfortunately, Vita died from a sudden heart attack while on a skiing trip with his family on March 9th. He was 65 years old.

Pier Paolo Vita, 1950-2016

Vita, nicknamed "Cesare"; took over as President in 1993; just twelve years after the club was initially founded. It was first treated as a side project to his more successful gym business across the renowned Renaissance city. He had a passion for the game though, and would often funnel his own money into the team to help provide for uniforms, equipment, and transportation. Most players in Italy have to pay to play to cover for these expenses, but once "Cesare" took over Fiorentina became one of the few exceptions.

Over the past decade, he was beginning to lose interest in the club. His son no longer played for the team, and quite frankly they hadn't been very successful despite his influence. But leading up to his untimely death, he was rejuvenated and could be found in the crowd for every game once again. He was a "man of heart," according to Sassoli. He paid to have the team gym renovated and also built a bar next door to Cerreti Baseball Stadium, their home field. The team may have lost its heart and soul with Vita's passing, but his parting gifts have set them up to potentially become the best they've ever been.

Going into the 2016 season, Vita's former business partner Antonio Gallo will be filling the void. It is undetermined whether he will invest the time, money, and effort that his predecessor did with helping the team. He is not as infatuated with baseball as "Cesare" was, so the players are anxious to see what will happen to the team in the future. One fact is known: in order to continue his legacy, everyone will need to work harder. The bar has not profited well thus far due to its obscure location and poor organization. Several of the players were hired by Vita to work at the bar if they were struggling to find work elsewhere and needed the money to support themselves.

Sassoli was eager to begin the new season despite of the sad news. This will more than likely be his last season playing for Fiorentina, as he is prepared to move to London to begin working as a software engineer this summer. He, as well as the rest of the team; plays because he is passionate about the game and has fun with his teammates. "We play to prove something to ourselves," he explained. "If we win, we might get a pat on the back if we're lucky. Nobody really knows about baseball in Italy."

"We play to prove something to ourselves. 
Nobody really knows about baseball in Italy."
- Daniele Sassoli

With a roster composed primarily of young adults, education and work happen to come before winning or losing games in most cases. They aren't paid to play, so the only punishment players receive is from their teammates for letting them down at a time of need.

So far, Fiorentina has been the team to beat in Serie B. They have won all six of their games to open the season against Cali Roma XIII, the Lancers Baseball Club (based outside of Florence), and Nettuno. Pitcher Alessio Sinforici has only allowed one run in total between three starts, striking out 23 in the process. In addition, pitcher Mauro Salciccia has given them three quality starts. Their offense has provided at least 6 runs in each of the games, proving that all of their offseason workouts and training has paid off. They will try to continue their winning streak on Saturday, May 7th in a doubleheader against Livorno.

Their roster is constructed of mostly young adults in their late teens and early 20's, but the range even extends to two players that are over 40 who still choose to suit up in Fiorentina red. They are still integral to the team's success because they are able to "give something to the younger players on the team"; according to Sassoli. 

If they can continue their early season dominance, they will reach the playoffs for the first time in several years. In order to make the postseason, a team needs to finish in first place in their respective region. They have finished in second for a few years in a row now, but Sassoli is confident that they can win the region and advance into the playoffs this year. And if this is the case, he will make sure he can be there.

"Of course I'll be there. Even if I leave for London before the playoffs start, I will fly back home to help my teammates. That's what Fiorentina baseball is all about."

For more information about SSD Fiorentina baseball, click here to visit their team website.

Scooby Makes a Splash

Being chosen in the NFL Draft has to be one of the best possible feelings an athlete could possibly experience. Some players choose to take a humble, gracious approach in reaction to the news. Others take no issue in expressing themselves. The latest example of the ladder reaction stemmed from the 250th overall pick in this past week's NFL Draft, Cleveland's Scooby Wright III.

Phillip Anthony Wright III, otherwise known as Scooby; was so thrilled when the Browns chose him with their final pick of the draft that he could be seen jumping into his pool! The clip featured from ESPN NFL's draft coverage was posted on their official Vine account and currently has almost 1.5 million loops. 

The final few rounds of the NFL Draft is typically only worth viewing for hardcore football fans and for the players and teams involved. Usually there isn't much suspense or intrigue throughout this portion of the event, which made Scooby's celebration particularly amusing. The Vine went viral because not only was the act hilarious and heartwarming, but it also allowed us to think of how we would react if we walked in an athlete's shoes on Draft Day. Also, the timing of the Vine post coincided with the conclusion of the draft; making it relevant and easy to come across when perusing various multimedia coverage.

The rookie linebacker also took to Twitter, proclaiming that his new team will not be disappointed with the late round pick:

Thank you best decision you ever made

— Scooby Wright III (@TwoStarScoob) May 1, 2016

If Wright displays the amount of entertainment value on the field as he does off the field, he could be a lot of fun to watch for years to come.

The Last First Day

Tuesday's opener was perhaps bittersweet for Boston's David Ortiz, who announced this past offseason that 2016 would be his last. However, it was also a triumphant one for the 40 year old slugger; who has been a staple of the past decade's leaderboards. In the 9th inning against Cleveland's Trevor Bauer, Ortiz launched a two home run into the right field bleachers to help seal a 6-2 victory. The blast was the 504th of his 20 year career; tying Hall of Fame member Eddie Murray for 26th on the all time list.

There have been several instances in recent memory when Ortiz's performance appeared to be severely declining. He obviously was no longer driving in over 130 runs, as he did during his peak in the mid 2000's; but Ortiz had spurts where he played like a shell of his former self. In 2015, "Big Papi" answered his critics by following a dreadful first half by his standards (.231 Batting Average/15 Home Runs/43 RBI over 340 plate appearances) with a spectacular second half (.325 BA/22 HR/65 RBI in just 274 appearances). 

After concluding 2016's Spring Training with just 4 hits in 35 at bats, it was fair to bring up the same questions once more. But on a frigid 34 degree day in Cleveland, he managed to silence those critics for what may be the final time. "When the lights go on, Papi goes on," he told the media after the game.

On the day of his 40th birthday, November 18th; Ortiz announced via The Players' Tribune his impending retirement after the 2016 season. Much like Chipper Jones in 2012, Mariano Rivera in 2013, and Derek Jeter and Paul Konerko in 2014, Ortiz will more than likely be serenaded for all of his career accomplishments by the Red Sox and his closest competitors over the course of the season. The fanfare and spotlight is warranted, but the ultimate question diehard baseball fans must eventually answer is whether he belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame or not.

From an offensive statistical standpoint, it's easy to see Ortiz giving an induction speech in Cooperstown one day. However, the catch to his Hall campaign is that he has played a whopping 1888 of his 2258 games as a Designated Hitter; the most controversial offensive position as far as comparisons go. 

The DH position was instilled in baseball's American League in 1973 to replace the pitcher in the lineup. By allowing this, pitchers were able to focus on what they were brought to their respective teams to do; rather than possibly embarrass themselves at the plate. At the same time, older players known for their offensive production were able to stay in the lineup while not having to play in the field. 

The Yankees' Ron Blomberg was the American League's First DH

Ortiz's defensive weaknesses forced him into the full time designated hitter role when he signed with Boston in 2003, and he's held the position ever since. He has become the most prolific and lethal DH the game has seen since the position's debut with the possible exception of Seattle's Edgar Martinez. But since he's mostly played half of every game, how could he be considered for the Hall of Fame?

Former White Sox great Frank Thomas played approximately 56% of his career at DH, and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 2014. Meanwhile, over 87% of Ortiz's professional plate appearances came in the DH role. The difference in this percentage is crucial to Ortiz's candidacy because Thomas proved he could be relied on to play in the field when called upon. Playing only 277 games at first base in 20 seasons makes Ortiz a one dimensional player: a very good one, but still lacking the skills necessary of being an all around ballplayer.

The Hall has kept out Martinez for his first seven years on the ballot thus far. Because of a rule change in 2014 that effectively reduced candidate's appearances on the ballot from 15 years down to 10, Martinez's time is running out. Ortiz may have better power numbers than the Mariners fan favorite, but the jury is still out for whether DH's will get the same treatment as other dominant position players of their time.

Being a one dimensional star has not always been an issue for Hall of Fame's voting process. Perhaps the most famous example is Ozzie Smith; the former St. Louis Cardinals shortstop. Smith was a slightly above average offensive player at best but shined brightest in the field. "The Wizard" spent much of his 19 year career dazzling fans with highlight reel plays; charisma; and, of course, his celebratory backflips. Smith cruised into Cooperstown in 2002 on his first year on the ballot; thus proving you don't always have to be a five tool talent to receive baseball's biggest honor.

While Smith was making acrobatic plays to keep fans on the edge of their seats, Ortiz was doing the same with his bat. After all, he played an integral part of the Red Sox's 2004 World Series Championship; which broke their infamous 86 year drought otherwise known as "The Curse of the Bambino". He batted .409 with 5 home runs and 21 RBI throughout the 2004 Postseason while batting in the heart of the Sox's lineup. His ability to perform under pressure was rewarded by the Red Sox in 2006, when he was given a plaque proclaiming him to be their greatest clutch hitter in franchise history. Ortiz also was crucial for the Sox in 2007 and 2013, when they won their 7th and 8th World Series titles.

Ortiz crossing home plate after his clutch 2004 ALCS Game 4 Walkoff Home Run

It hasn't always been smooth sailing for Ortiz, which leads to another critical component of his case. In 2009, a New York Times article cited he and fellow Boston star Manny Ramirez were part of a group of over 100 players who tested positive for Performance Enhancing Drugs (PED's). The MLB Players Association quickly shot down the article, and Ortiz has slammed them ever since for attempting to hurt his reputation of being a "clean" player. Depending on what side you choose to believe, the fact that his name was mentioned may keep him out of the Hall until more is known (similar to what Jeff Bagwell has been facing).

But when David Ortiz comes to bat for the final time, baseball fans will cherish his memories just as they would with any of today's modern day sports icons. Whether you love him or hate him, he will go down in history as one of the finest baseball has ever seen. The Hall of Fame may not agree at first, but his statistical comparison to Frank Thomas makes his case all the more interesting. 

Until his judgment day comes, it's been a hell of a ride Papi.

He Said/He Said: A Debate of Old School vs. New School

Which side do you agree with?

Mets Replace Murphy With Similar Walker

Can Neil Walker replicate the legacy Daniel Murphy left behind in New York?

Neil Walker was born in Pittsburgh, and has played his entire seven year career manning second base and helping the Pirates raise the Jolly Roger.

But in 2016, he will gear up for the reigning champion New York Mets, after a December trade for left hander Jon Niese sent him packing. The trade wasn't ideal for Mets fans who had just witnessed history from then free agent Daniel Murphy, who had a legendary postseason comparable with what Reggie Jackson and David Freese have done before. Murphy batted .421 and hit seven home runs in 9 games last October. Some may say if it weren't for his bat, the Mets wouldn't have advanced as far as they did.

The Nationals gave Murphy a three year, $37 million dollar deal in January to use him as their starting second baseman and as a versatile infield depth piece. Walker, however, will make $10,500,000 in 2016 with the Mets and will likely depart for free agency shortly thereafter.

The move was made to provide a stopgap for young prospect Dilson Herrera, who needs more minor league experience before being ready to take the role. General Manager Sandy Alderson made the gut decision to let go of Murphy in favor of a cheaper, shorter term option in Walker. “The biggest thing that Sandy was looking for, they really liked Dilson, and they should because he’s a good player. I think they wanted some flexibility, and Neil Walker provided that," said Murphy of the situation.

However, the comparison between Murphy and Walker isn't as staggering as their contracts may indicate. Both players are considered below average defenders but have produced above average offensive statistics for their respective teams over their seven year careers. Murphy owns a higher career batting average (.288 to .272), while Walker's OPS of .769 out-slugs Murphy's .755. When all is said and done, they are very similar players; even wearing the same uniform number!

WAR Comparison Neil Walker vs. Daniel Murphy 2008-2015
Create line charts

The Mets may have grown a particular fondness for the homegrown Murphy, but Walker's ability to switch hit relatively successfully should give them some extra lineup flexibility they didn't have with the left handed Murphy. “The types of things he brings, kind of an offensive mind-set to second base and a grinder mentality from a defensive standpoint — and an offensive standpoint, for that matter — is what I try to do as well,” Walker said of Murphy. “There’s no flash to my game. There’s nothing special that I do. I just try to do things the right way.”

“When the dust settled, I couldn’t have been happier with where I landed,” Walker said. “I thought this was a very good fit for me, a very good clubhouse, and I thought I could provide value to this team.” As long as Walker can help guide New York back into the pennant race in 2016, fans should warm up to the new #20 in the clubhouse.

My Hometown Hero

Image Source

Baseball has been at the center of my life ever since I was old enough to grasp a four seam grip. I played from elementary school to the end of high school. It was a emotional rollercoaster ride throughout many of my years, especially when I was cut from my middle school modified team in back-to-back seasons. But growing up in the Hudson Valley and playing baseball as the leaves grew back on the trees each spring always managed to put a smile on my face better than any other sport could.

During my Senior year, I questioned whether to take my game to the next level. Some of my friends were planning on playing in college after enjoying a great finish to their high school careers. I injured my knee in the third game of that season, so I sat out most of the year and didn't get the scouting attention I could have. 

I fully recovered and played my final game, and then decided I would be better off allotting my time to my studies in college, and not baseball. At my best, I may have had just enough talent to sneak into college and minor league ball. After all, I wasn't Joe Panik.

Joe Panik has been a local inspiration for hopeful ballplayers like myself ever since he was chosen by the San Francisco Giants in the 1st round of the 2011 MLB Draft. He graduated from John Jay High School in 2008, which is less than a half hour away from where I grew up. We also both looked up to Derek Jeter growing up because of the way he led the Yankees on and off the field. The Hudson Valley region is littered with celebrities hiding out in private, but rarely grows Major League talent. My friends and I followed his path to the big leagues, hoping that he would offset the trend and become the star we had hoped for.

On June 21st, 2014, none other than Joseph Matthew Panik stepped into the batter's box for the Giants in a pinch hit appearance. He drew a walk in his first plate appearance, and his career was underway. His first major league start came the next day, and he hit his first home run on August 22nd against Nationals pitcher Doug Fister. The second base void was then filled by journeyman middle infielder Marco Scutaro, but his constant injury concerns gave Panik his opportunity to shine. He was added to the playoff roster as the Giants geared up for a chance to win their 3rd World Series title in five years.

In Game 5 of the National League Division Series versus the St. Louis Cardinals, Joe swatted a crucial two run home run to put the Giants ahead. 

But his biggest moment came on baseball's biggest stage. It was an 0-1 count in the deciding Game 7 of the World Series. Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer ripped a hard ground ball up the middle of the infield as Lorenzo Cain attempted to advance to second. Instead, Panik had other plans; diving to his right, snatching the ball, and flipping it with his glove to shortstop Brandon Crawford. Crawford fired to first, ending the inning on a double play. 

Following the game, Panik spoke about the play to the media: “Crack of the bat, you do whatever you can to stop the ball. Once I got the ball, the way I caught it backhanded, it would’ve been hard for me to turn my glove over, get my hand in there and hook a throw to Brandon. You catch it and try to get rid of it. It’s instinctual. Thankfully, everything worked out.” (Source)

Some have said that they don't believe the Giants would have won the decisive 7th game if it weren't for Panik's play. He celebrated with his teammates, and eventually came back home with the World Series trophy for all of his first fans to cherish. John Jay hosted a welcome home gathering on December 10th; honoring him for his accomplishments. 

Dutchess County Executive Mark Molinaro spoke at the event, saying "Dutchess County is exceptionally proud to call Joe Panik one of our favorite sons," he said. "He's a great ballplayer and a real tribute, not only to his family and the Wappingers Central School District, but to the county, as a whole." (Source)

Going into 2015, the second base position was left for Panik after Scutaro had been designated for assignment. He won the job with ease, and batted .308 midway through the season. His performance earned him his 1st All Star appearance. Unfortunately, his season ended early after he was diagnosed with lower back inflammation. It was a short, but sweet year for the young star.

This week, pitchers and catchers have been reporting to Spring Training. Joe is already in Arizona working out in full health, and is excited for the chance to prove he's far from a one year wonder to all of his critics. 

Sometimes I wish I allowed myself the chance to continue playing through college. But I'm perfectly okay with allowing Joe Panik to represent my hometown. He's done it right, and he's done it well.

Multimedia Blog Post 1 - Analyzing a Photograph

It was the biggest stage a ballplayer could ever dream of. Think about it. You think about that first catch with Dad. You think about your first little league games, and savoring ice cream cones after big victories. Little league fades away, and suddenly the games have a deeper meaning. You're in high school and college, and people start to watch you. You don't know if you're good enough, but you give your all regardless. You are good enough, and you move up in the ranks. You're in a major league organization, and you have a long way to climb. But you're still hopeful that one day they will give you a shot. In time, they do. And for the next two decades, you soak in the limelight. You're an All Star, a World Series champion, and a hero. Everybody knows your name.

But no moment could replace this one right here. Just after that sweet crack of the bat, you were prepared for the trip of your lifetime. Time stood still as you rounded the bases, much like this very photograph. History was made. 

Some weren't prepared for this image. America was in a different frame of mind than it is now, and some didn't feel like an African American man deserved to be the Home Run King. They would have rather not seen Henry Aaron unseat the Great Bambino, the embodiment of America's Pastime. 

But the days of "hot dogs, peanuts, and Cracker Jack" were long over. More was at stake than ever before. And the most beautiful part of it all was that in this moment, despite what you had to overcome to be in this position, all of the agony was gone. Nobody cared about the color of your skin. They were just in awe of the greatest ballplayer they ever saw.

This photograph of Hank Aaron's famous record breaking home run speaks volumes to its importance. The photographer captured thousands of fans anticipating the result of the play, almost as if they were gasping for air. You cannot make out their expressions because they are so far away, but that's the beauty of the picture. Everyone had an opinion about Aaron passing Ruth. Racism was far from eliminated in the United States, and it didn't help that he played for a southern team (the Atlanta Braves). Hank received death threats just for simply playing the game at an exceptional level. People weren't prepared to watch him dethrone Babe Ruth. This photograph captures Ruth's final second as the leader of that category. 

Statistics are crucial to baseball, and although Aaron has since been unseated by Barry Bonds, many still view his record as the true one. Had Bonds not allegedly taken steroids to bolster his already astronomical numbers, this photo wouldn't bear the same meaning that it does today. The lighting casts over Aaron like he's a comic book superhero popping out of the image and coming to life. It's a dark setting in Atlanta, which allows the stadium lights to have such a prominence in the landscape of the event. It may sound cliché, but one could say the way the photo was shot is symbolic of Aaron defeating his adversity and rising out of the darkness to the top of the record books. 

You cannot understand this picture's significance unless you know its background context, which makes it an informational style photo. However, baseball is more than just numbers on a stat sheet, and its emotional component tied with its historical context is the reason why I, and so many others have fallen in love with this sport.

Multimedia in Sport Intro Blog Post

Hey everyone! It's been a few weeks, and most of you may think I haven't posted any content because I left the country at the end of January to begin studying abroad in Florence, Italy. While this is true, I have had time (and interest) in posting, but haven't been able to because my Mac broke my second night in Florence. However, after two weeks on the shelf, I am now back in business. I'll discuss more in future posts, but this post is actually for my "Creating the Multimedia Sports Narrative" course. Our first assignment for the class was to create a sports blog, and I was allowed to use this space for my work. So, as far as my regular content goes, prepare for occasional catch up posts to come.

Enjoying the view from the other side of the pond.

The first assignment was to basically outline why I got started in my Sports Communication major. I have an "About Me" page linked above with some information. I've been a major sports fan since I was around 8 years old, and my favorite sport has always been baseball. Hearing people say the reason they are sports majors is because "they like sports" has always been a huge pet peeve of mine. I've followed statistics religiously, collected all sorts of cards and memorabilia, and have written about baseball since I was 12! I've interned with a minor league baseball team, the Hudson Valley Renegades, and I plan on doing more in the future.

It's a very broad major, and I'd like to say I'm multitalented. I'm not sure where I want to end up down the road, but I've learned that I would not be happy if I couldn't do something I love. I decided to study abroad in part to obtain the International Sports certificate to place on my growing resume, but also to find myself and discover what it is I truly want to do with my life. I'm hoping by taking these courses and exploring Europe I will reach those goals.