11/05/24
August 19, 2009
Camp Sundown shines in the Bronx: Hate the Yankees? Got to like them for this.
I was reading about this in ESPN the magazines Rick Riley column and even thought I'm not a Yankees fan, I was glad to see them taking the time out for these kids. AJ Burnett playing wiffle ball with these kids at 2 in the morning after a game, is especially heart warming considering that most pro athletes don't do things like this.
posted by BornIcon at 09:28 AM on August 19, 2009
No one really "hates" them. It's envy and jealousy, really.
posted by The_Special_Juan at 12:18 PM on August 19, 2009
No one really "hates" them.
No, I can only speak for myself but I really hate the Yanks. I'm neither jealous or envious of them.
posted by BornIcon at 12:44 PM on August 19, 2009
I hate ANY team that keeps throwing money until they win.
One reason I don't watch the Premier League.
posted by Drood at 01:27 PM on August 19, 2009
AJ Burnett playing wiffle ball with these kids at 2 in the morning after a game, is especially heart warming considering that most pro athletes don't do things like this.
Yes, it's a good story, but you know, most teams do this type thing. Hell, Burnett learned everything he knows from Halladay anyway.
I probably have a higher opinion about athletes than most, but I think most athletes like dealing with children. They simply need the chance. It takes time to set up something like this; to take down the walls. The credit should go to the Yankee front office and the parent that started this. They're the ones that gave burnett the chance to play wiffle ball with the kid. And I'm sure burnett would say the same.
posted by justgary at 01:49 PM on August 19, 2009
They're the ones that gave burnett the chance to play wiffle ball with the kid. And I'm sure burnett would say the same.
Still, it can't be easy to be around sick children. I found this story incredibly sad, more sad than happy for me. I admire anyone who can control their own emotions such that they can bring kids so much joy.
posted by bperk at 02:11 PM on August 19, 2009
Most of these type of stories aren't known to the public because the athlete may not want the publicity as it may seem as if they're doing it just for the publicity.
Regardless who gave Burnett the chance to hang out with these kids and play wiffle ball with them, it's just nice to see that these children weren't overlooked. These are the type of stories I rather read about.
posted by BornIcon at 02:36 PM on August 19, 2009
Read the story last week actually and thought it was cool. I loved how the game was rained out for a while and that benefited the kids.
It got me thinking about how one persons disappointment can be anothers elation.
posted by Drood at 03:11 PM on August 19, 2009
It has become the vogue in professional athletics to give support to various causes. The Boston Red Sox have continued what the Braves and the Variety Clubs of New England started about 60 years ago in their support of The Jimmy Fund for children's cancer research and treatment. Now nearly every team and player does something in the community to help out. This is, of course, a very good thing. It's nice to see someone recognized in some way for what they do, and if there were more of this in the media, we might not always be grumbling about spoiled athletes.
I'm still waiting for someone to start a charity for retired engineers in New Hampshire who contribute writings to Sports Filter. Hello? Can anyone hear me?
posted by Howard_T at 04:14 PM on August 19, 2009
Drood:
I hate ANY team that keeps throwing money until they win.
You must hate every professional sports team out there, then. Maybe you should start another thread to talk about your hate, or resolve it in another manner. I don't think this thread is really the best place for it.
Second-guessing peoples' motives is cheap and easy. I don't know that it matters whether the Yankee players or organization had utterly pure motives in putting on this event...perhaps, for some of the players there, all they were thinking about was improving their image. As long as they were gracious throughout and helped to create a fun time for the kids, does it make sense to carp about the purity of their intentions?
posted by lil_brown_bat at 10:46 AM on August 20, 2009
I doubt the kids running around and having fun on the Yankee Stadium turf really cared what anyone's motives may have been.
posted by dyams at 12:07 PM on August 20, 2009
Still, it can't be easy to be around sick children. I found this story incredibly sad, more sad than happy for me. I admire anyone who can control their own emotions such that they can bring kids so much joy.
My limited experience around terminally sick children has not been one of sadness. At first, yes. But you quickly see that the child doesn't feel sorry for him/her self, they're just trying to live day by day, like anyone else. I'm sure it didn't take long for players to stop seeing these as sick children and as simply children, much like their own.
My contention wasn't that Burnett shouldn't be commended for spending time with the children, but with the claim that "most pro athletes" wouldn't have done this. I'm sure a few would find a reason to cut out, but I'm betting the huge majority would jump at the chance. Which is why huge credit should go to those that started and run the camp, and to the Yankee organization for going to the lengths they did to make it happen. They could have thought it too much trouble, and no one would ever have known.
I recently read a book on Roger Clemens, and though much of the book confirmed what I always thought of him, huge ego, kinda dumb, etc. there was one story that caught me by surprise. Clemens would jog around Yankee Stadium during the season and his route brought him by a children's hospital. Many times he would stop in and talk to the children, without cameras, without anyone knowing.
The fact that a pro athlete can give an hour of his time to a child and make it have such a huge impact has to be humbling and very gratifying. I don't think that's lost on Burnett, or most athletes.
posted by justgary at 03:19 PM on August 20, 2009
It really also puts "hating the Yankees" into perspective. Sure, I "hate" them. As a small market fan, I resent the organizational arrogance that goes hand-in-hand with the ability to throw unlimited money at whichever player they want.
That's a far cry from hating the individuals who work for and play for that particular company. These are just guys like anyone else, equally as capable of empathy and altruism. Good for them, and kudos to anyone who understands that the opportunity to live the charmed life of a professional athlete involves the responsibility to give back to the community.
posted by tahoemoj at 03:53 PM on August 20, 2009
I read that story before, gfinsf, and I'm glad you posted it. What a fantastic event for these kids, and the fact the Yankees players wanted to be such a huge part of it has to make you feel good. Put yourself in the shoes of these kids and their families, and what they have to go through each and every day, and you can't help but get choked up by this. Way to go, Yankees organization.