#classyroyals

Today my home town is celebrating our first World Series win since 1985. I can't claim to the be wildest baseball fan, although I enjoy the team and going to games. But I am awed and delighted by the players, managers and front office of a team that presents a very impressive message to the young baseball enthusiasts in our community. They never give up. They learn from past mistakes. They are patient with young players (many have come through the team's minor league farm team system). They honor families and can win without pressuring players to pretend they have no life off the field. They are honorable and decent with no reputations for being social "players" or getting DUIs. Some will say they are "old fashioned" in this way, but I hope this is a sign of better things to come.

I hope managers and front offices around the country and in other sports are considering the atmosphere they create around and within their teams. Recently we had a regional scandal with a college recruiting professional being named as the team pimp and I can't say how sad I find that as a commentary on our culture.

So a special thanks to players who share their sorrows and joys with us. Let us honor their wives and children and the sacrifice that they make to support their champions' careers. Thanks for teammates who play their hearts out until the final out. Let us rejoice that we have a classy and talented group that we can celebrate.