With all the controversy about an empty class for the
Baseball Hall of Fame, it puzzles me that one player has still not been given
the nod from the Hall. You would think that a .299 lifetime batting average and
534 homeruns would guarantee a plaque in Cooperstown, but one of baseball’s
most beloved heroes has been forgotten in time. Mickey Kaline was not only a
gifted athlete, but also a hometown hero, which is something very uncommon in
today’s game.
Kaline’s numbers say it all about his athletic ability, tied
with HOF Jamie Foxx on the all time homerun list. However, his true impact on
the game is seen on his influence on the kids who grew up idolizing him. Specifically,
Kaline changed the life of a young 4th grader named Arnold, sparking
Arnold’s forgotten love for the game.
Arnold considered dropping the game he loved at a very young
age. He had a serious case of “dangerous
lumber”, as his grandpa called it. Every time he hit the ball, it would injure
one of his friends. In a last ditch effort, Arnold’s grandpa brought him to the
batting cages in attempt to regain some confidence. Arnold proceeded to break
the pitching machine with one of his hits. When the team needed him most for
the big game against Wolfgang, Arnold turned his back on his team, and walked
away from the game.
This is where Kaline’s true heroism is truly exemplified. Arnold
visited Kaline’s post-retirement venture hot dog restaurant named Mickey’s
All-Natural Casings Dog Pound. Arnold explained his Dangerous Lumber problem to
Mickey, and Mickey advised Arnold to face his fear, telling him he has to try
and hit again. Providing true inspiration for Arnold, Mickey said, “You gotta
face your fears kid. You gotta stand up to that plate and swing, no matter
what. Because if you don’t, you’ll never get over it. You could end up a loser,
never live up to your true potential. But if you stick to it, you face your
fears, you could end up a big success, like me.”
Arnold took these words to heart. With the score 10-7,
bottom of the 9th, two outs, Arnold arrived at his team’s game,
facing Wolfgang on the mound. After looking at two strikes, Arnold drove the
ball over the left fielder’s head for a game winning grand slam.
It is moments like these where athletes transcend their
celebrity status and turn into legends. While Kaline’s number’s made him an
integral part of his team’s success, his advice to a young aspiring player
makes him a true hero. Hopefully, he no longer goes unforgotten.
-Will Noglows
***All stats taken from Hey Arnold Wiki
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