Someone to be in awe of

[ckissick]

As a sports fan, I like seeing dominant athletes. The ones that achieve seemingly superhuman feats. Madison Bumgarner is one of those. And not just because of the last World Series.

Today he pitched a 9-inning, 3-hit shutout, and struck out 14. But that wasn't good enough. He also hit an RBI double and then a home run. And he did this on a special day honoring former Giant great Juan Marichal. Today, Mad Bum was the second Giant in their history to pitch a complete game shutout, strike out at least 10, and hit a home run. The other Giant? Juan Marichal, of course.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

The problem is "superhuman" athletes are often so due to roids or doping, or some combination.

There are lots of athletes with enviable talent - what do you think most of them are doing to get to that "amazing" or "superhuman" level?

[onewhippedpuppy]

As a Royals fan.........I hate that guy. But he is an incredible pitcher.

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

The problem is "superhuman" athletes are often so due to roids or doping, or some combination.

There are lots of athletes with enviable talent - what do you think most of them are doing to get to that "amazing" or "superhuman" level?

This opinion alludes to what I like most about Mad Bum. He's the archetypal farm boy from the 1920s, performing on raw strength and guts. He doesn't need 'riods. And why should he? Pitchers back in the day routinely pitched 300 innings in a season. Mad Bum could, too. One doesn't have to get all cynical when they see someone doing great things. There are still those who can do it on natural talent.

[biosurfer1]

and wow is he a terrible actor. From his Chevy commercials to his KNBR promos, that guy has the personality of a stick in the mud.

Luckily pitchers don't need personality to get free trucks or pitch to World Series rings.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Too true - and awesome if he's doing it clean. I often wonder how pitchers from the early 1900s would do in today's league. It seemed like they were absolute machines back then - routine complete games, etc. Of course when you invest millions into a player (like today) they're perhaps less "expendable" than the ones from yesteryear may have been - iirc even good players back then didn't typically get paid much, even indexed for inflation.

[HHI944]

I'm not fond of this hero worship for athletes. The play a regimented game in a controlled setting with a world of technological and medical advances at their disposal.

If you want to be in awe of someone, try this guy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Waugh

[GH85Carrera]

I guess I can appreciate great athletic skill but I find it hard to be in awe of someone that is really good at playing a game. So what, he is a top game player. A really good pool player or golfer may be impressive but I am not in awe of them either.

It is just a boring game and not really very important to me. YMMV

[Tobra]

That guy is all jacked up on Red Man and Copenhagen

[J P Stein]

I guess I've been around too long.
Sounds like he had a good day.

[HHI944]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nate_Boyer

[72doug2,2S]

There's no reference to me here. Must be in the wrong thread.

[pwd72s]

Damned impressive for a pitcher to perform so well and also do well at the plate.

But I'm among the weird who enjoy watching anything done well at a top level.

No million $ plus pay level in pool. But the winner here, seen playing against one of the best in the Northwest makes 5 figures annually in tournament winnings. Shane Van Boening, aka "The South Dakota kid". Born hearing impaired...his grandparents have a pool table, noticed that when he was in a high chair watching them playing, he seemed to be fascinated with how the balls reacted. As soon as he could hold one, they placed a cue in his hand. He just won the world pool masters 9 ball championship for the 2nd time in a row, something nobody else has done.

This video is a short (for pool) 23 minute match held in Washington State. In 9 ball, balls must be struck in numerical order. Combination shots allowed. When the 9 falls, the game is over. Watch his control of the cue ball. It's no accident that many of his shots are easy ones...

(edit) No drug enhancements here...just a lifetime of working at getting a natural talent better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReunUO3IpSQ

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by HHI944

I'm not fond of this hero worship for athletes. The play a regimented game in a controlled setting with a world of technological and medical advances at their disposal.

If you want to be in awe of someone, try this guy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Waugh

I wouldn't say I have hero worship. Just extremely impressed with some athlete's skills. Hero worship should, in fact, be for men like Billy Waugh. I am also in awe of certain scientists like Einstein and Tesla and Faraday.

No one has ever been in awe of me, not even my wife. Maybe the common tendency for people to idolize others is to get a glimpse of what it might be like to be awesome ourselves. All you guys on this board who only offer cynicism to those whom the rest of us admire, must be pretty amazing dudes.

[wdfifteen]

Great athletes are impressive, but I reserve awe for someone who accomplishes something more substantial.

[peppy]

SI had a good article on him when he won sportsman of the year. Seamed like a humble guy from the mountains of NC.