Walk the Walk & Talk the Talk: A Tribute to Muhammad Ali

Arrogance has always been one of my least favorite qualities a person can have. In most cases, I feel that it's a tool used by weak personalities to hide insecurities. In this world we live in today, it is relatively easy to transform into someone you're not; especially after the birth and rise of the Internet. While we now have freedoms we're still working out the kinks to, it is tougher than ever before to remain genuine and honest with others in a world so deeply rooted in boastful lies.

But in the rare case, arrogance is permitted in my book of what is tolerable and what isn't. And no, if you're excited thinking I'm referring to Donald Trump, you probably have the wrong idea and should go consult Fox News. I'm talking about Muhammad Ali, the self-proclaimed "Greatest of All Time". Ali, of course; left us too soon on Friday night after battling Parkinson's Disease for over thirty years. His impact has been reflected upon every second of this past weekend by friends, family, athletes, and fans; as it rightfully should have. After all, no other modern athlete has left behind the global legacy he had.

Muhammad Ali once said that he called himself the greatest before he even knew he was. His ego was unprecedented and challenging to an American society that was still rampant with racial tension. The man even refused entry into the Vietnam War because he felt it wasn't fair for him to defend a country that wouldn't defend him. Whether you agree with his decision or not, the man made a hell of a point. He lost some of his fanbase by choosing punishment over war, but it was hard to root against him once he stepped back into the ring.

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For his career, Ali won 56 of his 61 fights; 37 by KO. He entertained my parents' generation by trash talking his opponents while transcending boxing with phantom punches and the rope a dope. At the same time, he pushed boundaries for African Americans and took pride in his Muslim faith. He used the platform he was given to spread love and make a difference in the world, while also being the most ferocious fighter we may ever see. If that doesn't make him the greatest, I don't know what else would.

Like the famous idiom says, if you can walk the walk, you can talk the talk. Ali was confident in his abilities and proved himself time and time again. In the end, he succumbed to the illness brought upon by what made him great. But we all know that he died a bigger winner than any one of us.

Ali being awarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom 

Rest in Peace, Champ.

The Sports World Mourns Prince

Goodbye, Yogi Berra.

Hey everyone, Drew back here. This has been a post I haven't been looking forward to writing for years, but knew was inevitable. Yogi Berra passed away this morning at the age of 90 due to what appears to be from natural causes; leaving the baseball world in mourning. The ten time World Series champion had a heart of gold and was one of the most colorful figures to ever play the game.

Of all the current and former players I've had the good fortune of meeting, there was nobody I would have preferred to meet more than Mr. Berra. His health began to fail around the time my Dad and I started attending sports card shows, and we've come just short of meeting him on several occasions through the years. I'll never get to say I shook his hand, however he was such a humble, graceful man to the point where it almost feels like I did. He treated the Yankees fans, players, and organization like family, and given the outpour of support and love shared across the world on his behalf today I know I'm not alone in saying that we all were impacted by his life.

Yogi played 19 professional seasons, all but one for the New York Yankees. Prior to his baseball career, he served in the US Navy as a gunner's mate on D-Day and throughout much of World War II. He was called up from the Newark Bears to the Yankees in 1946, and the rest was history. He batted .285 for his career while commanding a remarkable pitching staff; guiding them into the postseason every year but 1954 and 1959. Berra was a prolific postseason offensive force, and is the all time record holder in World Series games played, at bats, runs scored, singles, and doubles (he ranks second in Home Runs and RBI, only behind Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth).

Many of you know Lawrence Peter Berra for his famous "Yogi-ism's". Although he famously said "I never said most of the things I said", we all know he was responsible for "It's dèjá vu all over again", "It ain't over 'til it's over", and "Baseball is ninety percent mental, and the other half is physical". My personal favorite quote of his was when he was asked how many slices he would like his pizza divided into and he responded "You better cut the pizza in four slices because I'm not hungry enough to eat six." Some even view the man as a philosophical figure; while others just find him as humorous as they come.

I never got to watch him play, although I've seen plenty of his highlights over the years. My dad even said this morning that Yogi's playing career was overlooked by his cultural significance, which is a rare feat in baseball given the importance and relevance of statistics, stories, and history in general. Berra is at the forefront of such history, having connected generations of famous athletes who played generations apart. How many people got a chance to meet Babe Ruth and Derek Jeter?

As he departs, I want to remember Yogi Berra for all he was, on and off the field. He was the complete package, and the epitome of why we play and love this game. It's to root for people like him.

We're going to miss you, Yogi. Rest in Peace.

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And PS, if you're reading this up there: He was out.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Cub

Hey guys, Drew back here. I ended my Friday night with some pretty difficult news to swallow. Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, passed away at the age of 83 in Chicago.

Over the past year or so, I've used all of the great experiences I've gotten from fans, stadiums, and players to become a more well rounded baseball fan. I can say today that I am a fan of baseball as a whole even more than I am a Yankee fan, which doesn't mean anything against my Yankees but gives respect to all of the other legends who have came and went in this great game. One of the trailblazers for my newfound love for my favorite game was Mr. Banks, whose personality stood larger than life and made his actual baseball career an afterthought. It takes a pretty special man for their heart and passion to surpass his credentials; which include 14 All Star selections, 2 NL MVP's, a retired number at Wrigley Field and a plaque in the Hall of Fame.

I've been meeting current and former players at sports card/autograph shows for over 5 years now with my Dad. We've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to players' attitudes while signing for the fans. We've seen players openly tell their fans they have to leave to catch a flight, and players spend entire experiences with fans while talking on their cell phones. For every great experience we've had has come about 3 average ones and 1 below average one. But nobody I've met has ever been as down to Earth and lovable as Ernie Banks was to my Dad, my best friend Mike, and I on August 20th, 2011. And I'm truly convinced that nobody I've met ever will carry themselves quite like the Cubs hero. He made a steeply priced autograph ticket worth every penny to the three of us, and provided entertainment to everyone in the building, even staying well past his scheduled signing time to accommodate to each and every person in line (Click here to read about my time with Mr. Banks that day).

Some people got to spend a great amount of time with Ernie throughout his life. I only got a few hours, but those few hours were filled with memories I'll never forget as long as I live.

Let's Play Two. Rest in Peace.

A Salute to Baseball's Finest Gentleman

Hey guys, Drew back here. Well, it was a rollercoaster of a Sunday for me, certainly filled with its ups and downs. The highest of highs were spent in White Plains, as Dad and I went down to spend a little money and meet some players. We had a great time, and I originally planned to begin recapping the show today if it weren't for the news my friend William reported to me around noon. As many of you have now read on William's phenomenal blog, the great Virgil Trucks passed away yesterday at the age of 95. 

Trucks was a great pitcher throughout his 17 year career, winning 177 games with a career ERA of 3.39. He threw two no hitters in the same season, was a part of two World Series teams, and made two All Star games to top off his list of on-field accomplishments. 

However, not many of us got a chance to know that side of Mr. Trucks. Instead, we know him as one of the greatest Through the Mail signers of all time. Most players in today's game are hard to reach TTM, with the exception of a few excellent signers. Most of the retired players and Hall of Famers can be a bit risky and could often lead to failure. There was no such thing as failure with Trucks. He made sure throughout his whole life that he would sign every piece of fan mail, and during the latter half of his life, he would go above and beyond expectations. 

I sent a custom card and an index card for Trucks to sign back in October 2010 after hearing of his remarkable reputation with his fans. Instantly after receiving 5 autographs back from that same request rather than the two I'd asked for, I became one of those fans. He even wrote a handwritten letter to me talking about his stint with the Yankees and advising me to keep up my hard work and good grades! The experience was incredible, and unfortunately I never got the chance to thank him in person. I've received over 100 Through the Mail successes, including superstars like Yogi Berra, Steve Young, Peyton Manning, and Shaquille O'Neal; but none of those successes excited me as much as his did. He truly was a wonderful man in every sense of the word, and it is unfortunate that he is no longer with us. The world lost a great athlete, but more importantly, a great man today. 

I'll leave you all with the very letter I received from Virgil Trucks two and a half years ago. Although the "Fire" may have finally been put out yesterday, Trucks' impact on our hobby and sport will carry on forever.

Rest in Peace.