Who Did You Want To Be Like?

Whether you are male or female, whether you grew up on the East Coast or the West Coast, North or South, we all had an "idol" growing up. Perhaps it was an athlete, a musical artist, a religious figure, a politician, or an astronaut. After 9/11 it became politically incorrect to have a "hero" or an "idol" that wasn't a fireman or a Marine. The media and the government jammed that way of thinking down our throats and suddenly looking up to a baseball player or a musical artist was taboo. I say that is nonsesne. Pop culture is where we have always gotten our "idols" from and looked to these people for inspiration. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

I mean let's get real, half of our "big" musical artists got their start by idolizing the Beatles. The Beatles inspired and influenced so many people to get into the art of making music. Mickey Mantle inspired a generation to play baseball and Oprah Winfrey has inspired a generation of women to be all they can be regardless of their race or any other hardship they may have encountered. I think having these "idols" is a healthy thing for kids if the right people are picked as "idols". As long as these "idols" send a good message, give something back to the community, and set a good example for everyone, I don't see the harm in having an "idol". So often I hear the media mentioning that our teachers should be our idols, or our policemen, or the firemen, and that is fine too, bit there is nothing wrong with a good natured celebrity or athlete being a role model for a child.


Who Was Your Idol? 

My celebrity/sports "idol" growing up was Don Mattingly of the New York Yankees. I wasn't a Mattingly fan just because of his baseball talent, I was a fan because of his work ethic, his treatment of the fans, and what he meant to the city of New York for so many years. Mattingly would get to the ballpark hours before the other players to practice and master his craft. He was a team player that always helped the younger players grow and develop. Because of his work ethic and his influence on others, he was made the NY Yankees Captain. He is the current batting coach for the Yankees and is still having an impact on the team. He is still talked about on sports talk radio here in NY and is remembered as the ONLY New York athlete that was never booed by the hometown fans. NY fans are tough on their athletes, when they play poorly they are booed even if they are loved, Mattingly was respected so greatly, the fans never booed him.

As a kid, I played tons of baseball. I always wore his #23 and tried to emulate his batting stance, his mannerisms, and his work ethic. I had the posters, the Mattingly baseball jerseys, and the memorabilia. My biggest thrill was in 1993. I got company tickets to a Yankee game at Yankee stadium in the front row right along the first base line. During batting practice Mattingly was in the field at his first base position fielding ground balls and pop ups. A pop up came right in front of me and Mattingly caught it. He stopped to sign some balls for the kids and as he went along the line of kids, he passed in front of me, I asked him how his back was feeling (he had been hurt most of the year with a back injury), he smiled, said "It's feeling great, thanks for asking" and he extended his hand and shook my hand. I was in awe. The guy I grew up wanting to be like actually talked to me and shook my hand.

Obviously today I look up to people that have done more for mankind and I look up to people who make a direct difference in people's lives, but having a childhood idol was fun and I think everyone should have one. Who was your childhood "idol"?

It's Monday, voting day! Please cast your vote for "Bored at the Beach!!!" :)Have a great day everyone!