Port City stars still shining
One of the first things an artist learns is the need to step back from their work and take in a different perspective. The line of thinking comes from the belief it is hard to appreciate all that is offered from a close proximity.
The same advice relates in other matters. So take a step back, Mobile sports fans, and appreciate the overall view. Take a look at the big picture.
Because this is an area rich in athletes and athletic accomplishments, it's easy to take those athletes and feats for granted. Yet, when listing recent events on a national basis, Mobile is a common denominator in several areas of the sports world. For example:
-The greatest record in baseball, the all-time home run leader, is Mobile's Hank Aaron. Barry Bonds' chase of that record serves to bring Aaron's accomplishments -- not just as a home run hitter but as a complete player -- back into focus and offers an opportunity to appreciate not just the number of home runs Aaron hit in his career but the circumstances under which the record was achieved.
--Mobile's Jake Peavy is having a brilliant season for the San Diego Padres. The pitcher's fast start has claimed the attention of baseball fans and initiated speculation that, if he continues on his current path, he is a leading candidate to be the starting pitcher for the National League in this year's All-Star Game in July and, at the moment, win the NL Cy Young award.
--Former LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who first gained fame as quarterback at Mobile's Williamson High School, was the No. 1 overall pick by the Oakland Raiders in the recent NFL draft. Not just the first quarterback taken. Not just the first player hailing from Alabama to be selected. Not just the first SEC player chosen. The first played picked, period.
--In April, South Alabama's Ajoke Odumosu ran the fastest time in the world this year by a female competitor when she finished the 400-meter hurdles at the Drake Relays in a time of 55.37 seconds.
Soon after another South Alabama track standout, Vincent Rono, recorded the first sub-four minute mile time when he made the trek in a fast-paced 3:59.63 in the USA Invitational on the Jags' home track. And he did it under a bit of pressure: school officials publicly stated Rono would attempt to break the four-minute mark days before he accomplished the task.
--Justin Upton, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2005 major league draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, was promoted to the Mobile BayBears' roster a week ago today. All he did in his first at-bat in Mobile and Class AA was hit a home run. He proceeded to hit three more home runs in the next two games.
--The finals of a soccer tournament featuring an international field, including teams from China, Argentina, Mexico and the United States, took place at Baker High School recently. In late July, The Hank will be the site of two exhibition baseball games between the a USA team of non-draft-eligible college standouts and China's Olympic team.
Combined, those things make for an impressive big-picture presentation for Mobile.
See more at www.al.com
Other Sports News:
Daequan Cook, Dashonte Riley, Demarcus Cousins, Glen Davis, Joakim Noah, Reggie Bush, Kevin Durant.
