GRINDING IT OUT IN BASEBALL & IN LIFE

Baseball…..it’s just a game. I’ve heard that so many times in my life. I guess some people don’t realize that baseball is more than an entertainment medium because it’s a good life lesson. Turn on a baseball game or read the latest news with the Yankees and there is a deeper meaning behind it.Trust me, it’s true. There are stories about defying the odds, and personal struggles and that’s not just a storyline…it’s real life. For example, sometimes when life throws you an unexpected curve ball, you just have to grind it out and make the most of the situation. Our Yankees have done that this year and they have shown me that anything is possible.

I look at a guy like Russell Martin and I see the story of a man who perseveres and peaks at the right time. Before the season started, Martin was riding high after a successful 2011 season. He had a nice long-term deal waiting for him on the table and he didn’t bite at it. Fast forward and now he has struggled all season. He has probably been his own worst enemy. As many times as we fans have yelled at him, I am willing to bet that what he was saying to himself hurt more. I can only imagine how hard it is to stand in the batter’s box with a sub .200 AVG for most of the season and still feel good about yourself. But just like in real life, eventually you break through and you make things happen.  Russell has been huge for us in September and don’t let the weak .205 AVG fool you.  At the end of the day, the thing that matters the most is that you come through in the end. It doesn’t matter if it’s in baseball or real life, there will be good days and bad days, but when you battle your own demons and get that victory, that is what you remember the most. 

Then, there is Joba Chamberlain. When Joba left the game last year for Tommy John surgery, my heart sank.  I have always had a soft spot for Joba,  mainly because I hate to see a pitcher shuffled back and forth in and out of the starting rotation, it really messes with your head.  After watching him be so successful in the 7th inning, to be without him for the rest of the season just felt unfair to me. After a lot of comeback hype this spring, Joba went down again after a trampoline accident that I was admittedly very upset about, so was BYB, read HERE. 

After the accident, a lot of people were quick to write off Joba Chamberlain.  They said he was done with the Yankees, and it felt like people were packing his bags for him because it was “impossible” to come back this year. Yet, here we are in September and he’s managed to grind it out, pitching once again. Sure, his first few appearances were ugly to watch but the past two weeks he looks like the old Joba Chamberlain. He did it.  I think about all of the negatives that pointed in Joba’s direction, yet, in the end, he believed in himself and proved the doubters wrong. This sounds like yet another chapter in life, a life lesson that translates to us in our every day life.  Believe in yourself. Be true to yourself. Don’t let anyone or anything get you down…Grind it!

Look at Andy Pettitte. It is hard not to like Andy Pettitte and what he stands for. After an exciting return to the game at the last minute it was hard to see Andy walk off the mound again, but this time it wasn’t on his terms, a fractured ankle…it almost didn’t seem real because he’s always been Superman. He had already battled with a tough decision to come back after retiring, and suddenly it looked like a second chance would be in jeopardy. Baseball is a tough game, and eventually every player walks away from the game for one reason or another. Some walk away rather young, but some continue to play at 40 because their age doesn’t change the desire to keep pushing toward their goals. Another life lesson.  Sure, Andy already has four rings and some people think he never should have come back, but you should never let another person’s opinions influence you. Andy does everything on his own terms and he no one is harder on him then he is. Andy pushes himself on the field. Even when he gets in a jam, he doesn’t crack under pressure and he trusts his talent will help him avoid those game changing hits. Sometimes it is hard to look at the big picture and know what you are “supposed” to do, and sometimes you just have to take a chance. Maybe this chance leads to another ring. There are no guarantees in life, but there can be a lot of “what if’s” without seizing an opportunity when it comes along.

There are a lot of great stories within baseball, our Yankees are no exception.  As much as I love this game, there is more to take away from it then just a final scorecard.  It is easy to look at the struggles we have in life, but when you find a way to overcome the road blocks, then you know you’re ready to take on any challenge like a champion…like a New York Yankee.  

So here is to an exciting remainder of the regular season, and an uplifting story to go with our life lessons. Go Yankees…Grind it!

--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Writer and Editor

Twitter: @NyPrincessJ


Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.