As regular readers of this blog are aware, the Monday post was usually devoted to sports with highlights and analysis of the Max Kellerman show which formerly aired on 1050 ESPN Radio. As Max has resigned from 1050 and has not yet resurfaced on the NY area radio waves, I have decided to continue the tradition of linking sports to Torah which I believe was an undercurrent of the Max Kellerman show.
Much as I dislike saying it - the Yankee$ must be given their "props" for buying, I mean winning the World Series. But rather than dwelling on the World Series, I would like to talk about what happened after the Yankees won the World Series.
About three hours after the Yankees won the World Series, there was an accident on the Cross-County Parkway - a somewhat twisty parkway about 15 minutes away from Yankee Stadium. The driver of the car was involved in a one car accident and she collided with a wall. This particular stretch of highway can be quite dangerous at night as news reports quoted the police that drivers regularly go around 80 mph at this blind curve.
A man dressed in a casual shirt and jeans pulled his car off the road and attempted to help the stranded motorist. He then jumped and down to flag down a police car to stop and help the stranded motorist.
The man never identified himself to the woman, who did not know the true identity of her benefactor. But the police officer who was stopped by the man knew exactly who it was - Yankee manager Joe Girardi.
Normally when you read stories about sports figures who were involved in something happening after 2 AM its usually not a good thing. I can recall a guest on the Mike & Mike show on ESPN saying once that "nothing good ever happens after 2 AM." Having said that, this event was the exception which proves the rule.
The Gemara in Eiruvin 13(b) teaches that one who runs after greatness (in the eyes of others) the greatness will run from him. One who runs away from great public stature, it will run after him. In this case, Joe Girardi was proving the concept perfectly. He had just won the World Series as manage of the Yankees. But in pulling over to help the stranded motorist he did not identify himself as the Yankees' manager, he was just a Joe trying to help someone out. By not revealing his identity, Joe Girardi made an ever greater name for himself when the police alerted the media that this Joe had done this selfless act without seeking honor for himself.
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