Buddy Bell on Parenting
January 21, 2012, By Greg Hoard 0 comments
When he pulled into the parking lot, it was filled. Several of us stood around outside the gym making sure he had a spot near the door. He was our honored guest and graciously had accepted an invitation to speak to our baseball coaches, players and parents.
In past years, our little elementary school had heard from high school coaches or maybe a coach from a small college. But this year a parish member had arranged for Buddy Bell to speak. Buddy Bell, a local legend: six-time Gold Glove winner, five-time All-Star, a clutch hitter and, perhaps, the best defensive third baseman in the major leagues since Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson. After a career that began in Cleveland and extended to the Rangers, Bell was playing for Cincinnati, where his father, Gus, had played and where he had grown up.
He pulled his Jeep into the slot reserved for him, climbed out the door and looked around smiling. "What the hell is going on?" he said. "Why are there so many people here?"
Buddy Bell was as modest as he was skilled.
"It's all about you," his friend said.
"You know, I'm not a good speaker," Bell said.
His host smiled. "You'll do fine," he said. "And, I thank you, immensely."
"You owe me," Bell said. "I don't generally do this kind of thing."
"Yeah, I know."
We walked up the stairs to the gym. As soon as the gathering laid eyes on Bell, they broke into applause. Many stood. Where we live, baseball is far more than a game. Bell represented all that everyone in the room respected, dreamt about and aspired to for their children.
