The Greatest Game Ever Played

Decades ago when I was a college student I worked my summers at the local McDonald's. We had a softball team which I joined and I enjoyed playing the games.

One game I will remember for the rest of my life. We played a local Marine Corps Reserve Unit and it had all the elements of sports which make American Sports great.

Athleticism: The Marines were strong males in the prime of their lives, and they overwhelmed the youngsters that staffed the local McDonald's. In the first couple of innings they build an insurmountable lead of about 20 to 1.

Sportsmanship; After building this great lead the Marines did something very surprising and entertaining. The men all sat down and let their wives and girlfriends finish the game. McDonald's had a team comprised of mostly males and a few females. Interestingly, McDonald's came back and won the game. These Marine Corps Ladies are great Americans who enjoy the game, but apparently baseball was not their strong suit!

Fellowship: One of the greatest aspects of American Sports is the fellowship. Players and fans get together to have fun and enjoy each others company and as this game demonstrated, the fellowship and the fun is often more important than winning.

Never Give Up: When the McDonald's team fell way behind they did not want to quit even though they had no chance to win the game. Quiting offers an easy way out but it is not the American Way. Americans play hard and play to the end no matter the result. When the Marines put their wives and girlfriends in it was a gift that some on the McDonald's team will never forget.

Community: The Marine Corps and McDonald's are great American institutions, which have made a great contribution to our country. This game was not about which organization could put a better team on the field. The game demonstrated that we are all part of the same community and we support each other. The common citizens represented by the people playing for McDonald's support the soldiers that protect them and the soldiers support the citizens they protect.

Patriotism: We are all proud to be Americans and demonstrated our love of country by enjoying a game of baseball, our national pastime. These were two great American Institutions enjoying the game that symbolizes America; baseball.

This game may not compete with the World Series. This game was great however, because it demonstrated the American Spirit, the goodness of the American People and the many virtues they possess. More than any game I have ever seen, this game demonstrated what it means to be an American.