A Wicked Deep Discussion of Heroism

I taught Classical Literature (you know, those Greeks and Romans) my first year of teaching, and I’ll be teaching it again this year. The question of heroism frequently arises when studying such characters as Achilles, Odysseus and Aeneas. What makes a hero? What made a hero then? How are the two the same and how are they different? (Ohh how the Lit teacher loves good discussion questions!)

It’s easy to say that there aren’t good heroes today. Not the way there were then. I mean, Brad Pitt? Are you kidding me?

However, there are examples such as the NYPD that show that modern America still has some admirable values. And there are personal examples, as evidenced by one of my student’s essays about her mother, whose husband died years ago and who is raising my student, her sister, and her handicapped son on her own.

And then there are sports. Oh ya.

So now I must share some of my favorite examples of heroics in sports.

#1 (of course). Curt Schilling in the 2004 World Series, pitching with his tendon stitched to his ankle bone (or whatever gross thing it was), risking his future career for victory. And boy howdy, did it ever work! (My students say “boy howdy” now, every once in awhile, much to my glee and to their parents bewilderment.) Why is this heroic? It’s an example of someone willing to give himself (my students also know that self-sacrifice is my favorite theme in literature!) for something larger than himself.

#2. Curt Schilling (déjà vu anyone?) in his youth, heeding the voice of wisdom. He was a young punk, living up the life of a major league player and a major league player’s salary, partying, and generally goofing off. Roger Clemens pulled him aside one day, and gave him a talking to. If you ever want to amount to anything, Clemens told him, you’ve got to cut this out, take this seriously, and start working hard. Schilling did so, and became one of baseball’s greatest pitchers. The heroism is a little different here – perhaps a little closer to home. It’s the heroism of someone willing to humble himself, take the advice of another (in this case a peer, which is impressive), and engage in self-denial for a greater end.

#3. Dustin Pedroia making it to the major leagues (and doing quite well there, I might add!), despite his stature. People thought he couldn’t do it, because he was so short, and his range would be limited. But now he’s there on the Red Sox, contributing handsomely. Plus, he has the coolest name in baseball. Except for maybe Dante Bichette. The heroism here is the diligence to work hard, and persistence to stick with it, even in the face of nay-sayers.

#4. Tim Naehring (why haven’t you mentioned him earlier?! you may ask. Ah, I respond, I was carefully crafting this masterpiece in a way that would make you wonder, holding you in suspense, until the end. Plus, haven’t you heard of the saying “best for last?”) being willing to take LESS MONEY to stay with the Red Sox rather than be traded to the Indians (Orioles?). Not too shabby, eh? Where do you see that in professional sports these days? I still remember that little newspaper clipping that was on my wall through high school which said, “Kirby Puckett and Tim Naehring aside, loyalty is a rare commodity in baseball.” OH YA! That’s my hero! I once wrote an entire essay on why Tim Naehring was my hero, and this point played a big role. Loyalty is heroic in my book (not to mention Homer’s and a bunch of other guy’s).

So there you have it, people. We still have heroes – we just have to know where to look for them (i.e. The Red Sox)!

PS. Two other heroes are Danny and Gretchen, people who give themselves daily for their families and for God and I wish them a very happy birthday (yesterday and today). Love you guys!