THE YANKEE SPARK PLUGS

It has always been evident to me just how important Ichiro Suzuki is to a ball club.  I often think about all the Ichiro bashing over the winter. "The guy's old!" "Are you kidding? He can't hit anymore!" Those were the silly comments, coming from fans sitting on their couch criticizing, but not doing anything to better themselves. 

Right... got it. Some of you are just misguided.

Ichiro takes care of himself physically, mentally... and no matter what role he's handled, he'll conquer, because be it 25 of 45, Ichiro loves and respects the game of baseball.  He also will play hard for his team everyday. Lucky for us, his team is the New York Yankees, and the past few days seeing him be the main component in the Yankees victories... well, I need to smile and say, "I told you so."

Add in Yangervis Solarte, a kid with a dream that was given a shot and there isn't anything these 2 can't do to help their club!  Solarte was bouncing around for a bit, but the Yankees saw something in him.  He's got balls.  He's determined... and he's good ballplayer as well.  He's a diamond in the rough and Yankee fans everywhere are happy to have him right about now.

I root for the believer.  I always have.  Lord knows that every moment in someones life is a test and when you're handed that moment, or test, you have to decide, "Do I go for it?" or "No, I'm afraid, I won't try."  It's not to say that if you don't try you're a loser.  All it means is trying and maybe conquering at that moment could change the course of your life. It could determine your future and it definitely will build your confidence if you do push yourself.  

My friend Laura Posada wrote something very inspiring on her Facebook page the other day.  She wrote:

"Look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself you are strong! 

 #posada #lifecoach #smile #happy "

If you can't see the fire and emotion in that, I'm not sure I can help you at this point. You need to find it in yourself. That about sums it up, it's about YOU making YOU better.

Guys like Suzuki and Solarte, Laura and Jorge Posada are special in many ways. They're believers. For Suzuki and Solarte, here are 2 players, a veteran and a rookie and they both have that same hunger and determination to dominate on the field. There is nothing more gratifying for a fan like me, than to see a player hungry to win.  That's what I see in Solarte. That's what I've always seen in Ichiro. Two spark plugs that energize an entire club... you can't beat it ladies and gentlemen...

We're very lucky Yankee fans... let's enjoy this.

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