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January 28, 2010

BENCH SITTIN' — No. 1 in the Yankee lineup

By Randy Cowling, Managing Editor

January 28, 2010 — Imagination can be a dangerous thing.

Recently I came across photo of some of the people who produce a podcast which I listen to on a regular basis. The photo didn’t match up with how I had imagined the person would look like. Now when I listen to the host, I can’t seem to resolve my made-up image and the real one.

When I first saw New York Yankee great Bobby Richardson, I had to do a doubletake. In my mind he was much taller. Maybe I had him mixed up in my mind with his teammate and former Chelsea resident Ralph Terry.

Small in stature but a giant in heart might best describe Richardson, who played seven seasons with the powerhouse Yankees. On a team with Micky Mantle, Roger Maris, Whitey Ford, Tony Kubek and Ralph Terry, Richardson was able to remain behind the scenes during the regular season.

When it came to any World Series, Richardson saved his best stuff. During the 1960 World Series, Richardson put together one of the greatest single innings of offense in the history of baseball. In an inning, he hit a two-run single and followed it up with a grandslam. Richardson drove in 12 runs in that World Series and won the World Series MVP honor. The Yankees, however, lost to the Pirates, 4-3.

On Monday night as he shared about his life with Mantle it was quite apparent this man was more than a great second baseman. He is a solid man of faith and values.

In a very conversational manner Richard told stories of how he and Kubek kept his teammates up all night by singing to the accompaniment of a harmonica.

When was the last time sports fans met a pro athlete who was an example of excellence and positive values? In this day and age of steroid scandals and players toting guns, it was quite refreshing to sit and listen to what sports should be like when players are in it for the game and not the money.

Richardson exemplified how a person presents themselves is much more important than winning a World Series. The value of a man’s character is priceless. Life is more than playing ball and that’s a lesson many athletes and non-athletes will never learn.

Richardson, who wore No. 1 in the Yankee lineup, was a stack pole for character and values on those Yankee teams. His lifelong friendship with Mantle brought the Hall of Famer centerfielder to a personal relationship with God just before Mantle died.

Richardson never gave up on his values and his teammates knew that long after everyone of them had retired.

So when that Yankee great spoke to a packed house on Monday evening at the Field of Dreams Banquet it was quite fitting that he shared his story, one than serves as a reminder that good guys can achieve greatness.

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