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From: wph@ihuxn.UUCP (hentrich)
Newsgroups: net.sport.baseball
Subject: "Winning at all costs"
Message-ID: <1097@ihuxn.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 13-Jun-85 16:08:02 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihuxn.1097
Posted: Thu Jun 13 16:08:02 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 14-Jun-85 04:57:03 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 45

>   Fellow netters,
>   		.
>   		.
>   		.
>   	I think there is a cultural difference vis-a-vis myself and the Vince
>   Lombardi-Pete Rose school of "win at all costs".  When I look at sports I like
>   to remember the saying that the Chinese use:"Friendship first, competition
>   second".  Subscription to this philosophy and professional sports in America,
>   especially America in the '80's, does not mix.  Some of you must be thinking
>   that "this guy is a real wimp, he doesn't want to win, etc."
>   		.
>   		.
>   		.
>   					David Cherson


David has touched on a point of view that I have heard about for several
years, "win at all costs".  I believe in this school of thought for
PROFESSIONAL athletes.  This is their job.  If any player in any
professional sport did not try their best to win they would be 
out of a job.  If the hitter were the pitchers best friend and the
pitcher were struggling, should the hitter strike out to help his
friend when a base hit could win a game?

However, I do agree that the "win at all costs" philosophy does
hurt the amateur programs at all levels.  I have 2 teenage children
who have competed on organized teams in many sports.  You can
see that some of the parents do want their Jonny to win the
game regardless of how it is done.  I am sure that most spectators
at children's sports events have seen a coach or parent scold
a player for a mistake in an unnecessary manner.

I think that it is the parents responsibility to instill a sense
of good sportmanship to their children.  Most children are not
going to be professional athletes, they do however need to 
develop a sense of desire to excell at some time.  Sports are
a good media for this development.

David, I do not think that you are a wimp.  I just think
that the "win at all costs" attitude is a must for a
PROFESSIONAL athletes.


					Warren Hentrich
					ihuxn!wph