2008 Woodie Awards
Is a good team reflective of team bonds or individual superstars?
Talitha Linden-Darrow
Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: Sports
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What is it that makes a good team? Is it just a collection of skilled individuals or is it something more? Perhaps what makes a team good are the bonds that athletes have with each other and their commitment to one another as well as to their sport. At the collegiate level, fans are more likely to see good teams, whose players mesh well together both in the competitive game situation as well as when they are not playing the game. At the professional level, fans often see prima donna's, who appear more concerned with personal success than team success.
Just this past week, the Boston Red Sox defeated the Cleveland Indians to advance to the World Series. During ALCS series, however, there were times when the Red Sox's success was in serious question. It was during one of these games, when the Red Sox were trailing the Indians that Manny Ramirez stepped to the plate and hit a home run. In classic "Man Ram" style, he stood in the batter's box with his arms raised drawing everyone's attention to himself. When he finally left the batter's box, he slowly made his way around the bases and finally crossed the plate completing his home-run victory lap.
One might wonder why all the late inning fanfare. The Red Sox lost that particular game 7-3. Congratulations, Manny, for being one of the most feared hitters in baseball, but there was little reason to celebrate. Your team lost. Now, I am a faithful supporter of the Boston Red Sox, and it kills me to have to bash them in any way. Besides, Manny Ramirez is by no means the only athlete who behaves this way. Terrell Owens has often been in the news for his melodramatic behavior that draws more attention to him than to his team. In fact, his behavior made it impossible for him to remain with one team, The Philadelphia Eagles, who traded him to the Cowboys.
To be sure, the efforts of these and other individual athletes are very impressive, but to me, nothing can rival the combined efforts of athletes that sometimes result in team success. In any sport the "we" is stronger than the "me." Unfortunately, in professional sports, the media often gives more attention to the show-boats.
Just this past week, the Boston Red Sox defeated the Cleveland Indians to advance to the World Series. During ALCS series, however, there were times when the Red Sox's success was in serious question. It was during one of these games, when the Red Sox were trailing the Indians that Manny Ramirez stepped to the plate and hit a home run. In classic "Man Ram" style, he stood in the batter's box with his arms raised drawing everyone's attention to himself. When he finally left the batter's box, he slowly made his way around the bases and finally crossed the plate completing his home-run victory lap.
One might wonder why all the late inning fanfare. The Red Sox lost that particular game 7-3. Congratulations, Manny, for being one of the most feared hitters in baseball, but there was little reason to celebrate. Your team lost. Now, I am a faithful supporter of the Boston Red Sox, and it kills me to have to bash them in any way. Besides, Manny Ramirez is by no means the only athlete who behaves this way. Terrell Owens has often been in the news for his melodramatic behavior that draws more attention to him than to his team. In fact, his behavior made it impossible for him to remain with one team, The Philadelphia Eagles, who traded him to the Cowboys.
To be sure, the efforts of these and other individual athletes are very impressive, but to me, nothing can rival the combined efforts of athletes that sometimes result in team success. In any sport the "we" is stronger than the "me." Unfortunately, in professional sports, the media often gives more attention to the show-boats.
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