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World series and the troops, continuing series
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World series and the troops
This is the time of year that real baseball fans are in their glory, they patiently wait through the 162 game regular season and the league playoffs. Finally, late October and the two teams left standing will play a seven game series to decide who will win the World Series ring along with the title of world champions. Each year Major League Baseball seems to make this annual event even bigger than the year before. The More people who tune in and watch the Series the more advertising dollars each teams receives. Major League Baseball plans all year in hopes that they will create the best series ever.
2009 is no different, although this year Major League Baseball is teaming with the US military in an attempt to generate support for our returning Veterans. Major League Baseball has partnered with First Lady Michelle O'bama and Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden to salute our returning Veterans during the opening of the 105th World Series which was played Wednesday night at the newly opened Yankee stadium. The Phillies beat the American league champions 6 to 1 behind outstanding pitching from Cliff Lee 2008 Cy Young Award winner and former Cleveland Indian.
Major League Baseball created this tribute and invited the President and Vice President wives to participate in pre-game ceremonies which honors a special organization called Welcome Back Veterans. Joining the two on the pitching mound was 81 year old Yogi Berra a US Navy Veteran from WW11 and former catcher and manager for the Yankee's. Also, joining the President wife,Vice Presidents wife and Yogi on the pitching mound was retired US Army Special Forces Captain Tony Odierno a West Point graduate who suffered the loss of his left arm while on active duty in Iraq. Captain Odierno, who received a purple heart and Bronze Star for his Valor now works for the New York Yankees in stadium operations.
Welcome Back Veterans is a charitable group that pays tribute to our Veterans who return home from Afghanistan and Iraq. Army General Ray Odierno is the father of Captain Odierno who is the Commander of the Coalition Forces in Iraq. He applauds this effort by Major League Baseball and Welcome Back Veterans, "its a tremendous way to show public support." said General Odierno. Welcome Back Veterans with the support of MLB Charities and McCormick Foundation provides mental health treatment and job opportunities to Veterans and their families. Major League baseball asked Hall of Farmer Yogi Berra to be part of this tribute due to his service as a professional baseball player and as a US Navy Veteran. This tribute by Major League Baseball puts our Veterans on center stage on millions of TV's all over the world. What is even more impressive is the dedication and support given by the First Lady Michelle O'bama and Vice Presidents Joe Biden's wife Jill Biden. Their support did not end on Wednesday after the first pitch. Both agreed to visit patients at James A. Peters Va medical center in the Bronx along with active players from the New York Yankees. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig feels that the presence at both the game and the hospital visit will provide inspiration and motivation to our Veterans who proudly served our country.
Although most active modern day baseball players never served in the military, they still share a common bond , understanding and attitude that makes them a winner. Some say that professional athletes and military Veterans feel they belong to the same brotherhood or a family because of their passion dedication, pride and work ethic they both possess . Greatness is a common foundation that exist with professional athletes and military Veterans; below is a partial list of major league baseball legends who served in the military:
Supporting and honoring our returning Veterans and offering them special services that helps them adjust to civilian life is a great idea and project. Major League Baseball's generosity and partnership with the white house and Welcome Back Veterans organization is a testimony to their support and appreciation they have for our returning Veteranns. It is time that Americans are finally embracing, supporting and honoring our returning Veterans, a far cry from how the Vietnam Veterans were treated. However, closing the door and honoring only those who have recently returned from a certain time and region is not the entire answer. Lets not exclude Veterans because they served at a different time or place. When creating programs to honor and support our Veterans, we need to include all Veterans. Mayor League Baseball's promotion took considerable planning and a sizable budget, it was great for public relations and a huge step forward for our returning Vets. However, it wasn't a home run for all of us.
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