Baseball. Basketball. Boxing. The sports are as varied as they are competitive, but they seem almost incidental to the players playing them. And here we arrive at the uncontestable truth: every community in America should celebrate the people that have transcended the local playground and taken their game to the big leagues. The individuals profiled on these pages represent the best in all of us. Their work ethic. Their stamina. Their resilience in the face of adversity. Not everyone will stare down a 100-miles-per-hour fastball or negotiate a banked turn driving at ungodly speeds, but we all know that personal and communal triumphs rarely come without pain, loss, and heartache.
Sports are a metaphor for the adventures that await us all, and everyone, regardless of gumption or genetic disposition, is in the game. We see ourselves in the all-star players that wow us because we know somewhere deep inside we possess similar abilities to defy convention—and even the law of gravity on occasion.
Sports are a metaphor for the community that binds us. Win, lose, or draw, we’re all on the same team. Sure, the naysayers will boo on occasion, but what do they know about playing together or dedicating themselves to something once thought impossible? We find togetherness in the blood, sweat, and tears.
Finally, sports are a metaphor for the seasons of life. If your best days are behind you, you can still relish the memories of those glory years. And it’s never too late to transition from athlete to coach—or from fair-weather fan to champion of your community. Get involved. Volunteer your time or money to the sports museum that published this book. Organize a fun run to raise money for a good cause. Step up to spell those who have been tirelessly working behind the scenes to ensure the success of the current generation. Do your part to make sure that the history of Delco sports remains a living one, forever unfolding, steadfastly local, and perennially ready for the next season to begin. For information on how to obtain a copy of this book go to www.delcosportsmuseum.org By Matt Kite via Jim Vankoski