As Spring Training approaches, I will admit that I look forward to the beginning of Major League Baseball for yet another year.  Baseball, to me, in many cases is a microcosm of life.  It has a definate beginning, middle and end.  It has a lot of high points, as well as low points during the course of the season.  Unfortunately, this year it has had a lot of low points since the season ended.  There are scandals, (some, like steroids, won't go away) and there are great stories.

One of the greatest stories in the history of the game is Hank Aaron.  While he was playing he was one of the most consistent, steady ball players in the history of the game.  You could start in April and write in ink that he was going hit right around .300, hit around 30 homeruns, and drive in over 100 runs.  He was going to be a solid outfielder, and baserunner.  He was also going to be a great example and team mate.  When his career was winding down he chased, then eclipsed, the most sacred record in sports.

As a young person, I was struck with the class and dignity that this good man showed in the face of terrible adversity.  As a failed baseball player, I can attest that the game is hard enough to play well, let alone do so in the face of racial bigotry that Hank Aaron did.  I can't imagine going to bat knowing that some moron had threatened to kill your son, daughter or wife if you did your job.  Yet he stared down ignorance and threats and did his job more consistently than anyone before or since.

Hank Aaron broke that sacred record of 714 homeruns and went on to finish his career with 755 homeruns.  As you know Barry Bonds broke that record last summer.  Hank set his record with no hint of scandal, he just did his job.  Whether Barry Bonds used steroids remains to be seen, I will withhold my opinion until that proof is out for everyone to see.  I found a quote by this amazing man that sums it up.  Hank Aaron said: "My motto was always to keep swinging.  Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging." 

One day I would like to be able to look Hank Aaron in the eye just to say thank you.  I would like to thank him for being a great baseball player, a hero of my youth, but as great as you were on the ball fields of the Major Leagues, you're a much better person.  Thank you Hank Aaron, for setting an example of how it is done.  Just show up and keep doing your job to the best of your ability.  Thank you also for doing it with class and dignity!!! I hope when I am done with Real Estate, I can be said that I showed up and worked to the best of my ability, and that I did my best to live up to the example that Mr. Aaron set of how to do so with class and dignity!!!