Posted on 04/13/2009 12:22:41 PM PDT by raybbr
First off, I am a die hard Cubs fan. I have followed them for over forty years and have been in the radio booth at Wrigley and saw a game from the press box courtesy of Lou Boudreau.
Cubs vs. Brewers April 12, 2009
The bases were loaded in the bottom of the fifth last night. The Chicago Cubs were visiting the Milwaukee Brewers. Prince Fielder was up to bat and looking for the first grand slam of his career. There was nobody out. The Cubs were leading 6 - 2. A grand slam would have tied the game.
The count was 1 - 1. Fielder swung at the next pitch - an 84 mph slider. The ball flew deep into right field. The Cubs' Reed Johnson drifted back toward the wall. At the last moment before crashing into the wall he planted his right foot into the outfield wall and leapt. Johnsons was able to catch the ball at a full stretch over the top of the wall.
The catch robbed Prince Fielder of his first career grand slam. Johson got the ball in to hold the Brewers to one run.
Fielder looked on in disbelief. The crowd was mixed with Cubs fans and the sound of the crowd resounded with confusion, disappointment and joy.
At the end of the play as Fielder was walking into the dugout he did something that I haven't seen for a long time. He saluted Reed Johnson by doffing his helmet.
In this time of "it's all about me" and superstar dreams there are still some who can look beyond themselves and acknowledge that someone did him one better.
Prince Fielder, in a moment of honesty, decided to say, "I did my best. I gave it my best shot but you were just a little bit better. I salute you."
Not the usual post, I know. But, this has given me a lift. It was very nice to see. I hope I can raise my sons to be sportsmen like Fielder.
I was going to name this thread "A Rare Moment Of Sportsmanship from a Prince" but I decided not to. I don't know enough about Fielder to know if this is rare. He just deserves some recognition.
His name is Prince?
Yes, son of Cecil Fielder.
Soon to be known as "the player formerly known as Prince".
Hee hee hee
Not saying whether or not it was intentional, but Reed Johnson was pegged in the back his next at bat.
It’s never wrong to display a little class. Nice.
Thank you for posting this.
Kudos to a sportsman.
Good grief, what a catch! Classy move Prince Fielder.
Nice move.
Kind of a bittersweet moment for me. I have both Fielder and Johnson on my fantasy team. So, my own player robbed me of a Hit, HR, 3RBI and a Run scored. LOL
Kind of like Cabrera yesterday after Perry stuck it 2 feet from the flag on the 16th (I believe). They walk on the green and Cabrera gives him a thumbs up for a fine shot.
Tennis is my main sport to play, and I love watching it. Sportsmanship abounds on the tennis courts.
I agree. Remember Rafter? Used to give away points. BTW, I am a member of USPTA. Been teaching part time for fifteen years.
Surgery was 1/12, hit last Thursday at a drill session for intermediate players (I'm a strong USTA 4.0) just to shake off the rust. Movement is seriously restricted, especially on the backhand (tough to plant my right let for my 1 hand BH, but surprisingly, my strokes were pretty clean considering I hadn't touched a racquet since Christmas.
Probably not a good idea for 250# pound guys to play tennis, but it's my passion. I'm a big F1 fan so in league play, I always wear one of my Ferrari red shirts. Can be quite a distraction at the net when someone with my build is jumping around/poaching!
On court nickname - Big Cat 
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