The Triple Crown
I
realize that this is generally going to be a blog about football and other
sports that require helmets (something that this company is all about, if I
remember correctly). Today, however, I need to point out another achievement
that some would argue is even more amazing than any Hail-Mary, or game winning
home run in the bottom of the ninth, or dramatic overtime playoff goal…The
Triple Crown of horse racing. For those of you with a less-than-passing
interest in horse racing, that is The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness Stakes, and
The Belmont Stakes. Admittedly, I am not a very big horse racing fan, Jai Alai
is my choice when it comes to betting on sports. I guess this goes to show you
that this was a big event. I do find it odd that as uninterested as I am, generally,
in horse racing, that this is the second blog entry in a row where I am talking
about it. I will usually watch the Triple Crown races, but that is about where
my interest in “The Sport of Kings” ends. Funny thing, life.
Now,
winning the Triple Crown is a feat which had only been accomplished twice in my
lifetime, and those were in back-to-back years. I am a bicentennial baby, born
in the year 1976. The following year, a dark brown colt named Seattle Slew won
his first two Triple Crown races by just over a length each, then he raced away
to his third victory of the Triple Crown season by 4 lengths. The following
year, 1978, a chestnut brown colt with the demonstrative name Affirmed, beat
Alydar at the Belmont in one of the most exciting finishes to a sporting event
that has ever been seen. This feat has been accomplished 12 times in the last
96 years. On the average, that wouldn’t seem like a big deal (once every 8
years). However, between 1930 and 1948, it was done 7 times. By comparison,
between 1920 and 1967, the Batting Triple Crown was won 11 times. Carl
Yastrzemski was the last player to complete the honor until Miguel Cabrera did
it in 2012. My point here is that both of these feats are incredible sights to
behold and ones that we are privileged to have seen.
American Pharaoh is an athlete. Just as much of an athlete as any other
professional or amateur out there, striving to be at the top of his (or her)
game. I have seen all types of athletes throughout my life. Some are more
gifted than others, some work harder than others. The rare few who can combine
the raw, natural ability with a work ethic that would make the rest of us curl
up into a ball, in the corner, and cry, are those who achieve greatness. Go
back and watch the last turn and the home stretch from last week’s race and
tell me that horse didn’t just dominate his opponents. He shifted into another
gear that the rest of the field simply did not possess. American Pharaoh wanted
that race. Animals may not have the same understanding of the business of
sport, but tell your dog that she is a good girl for doing something…anything,
and watch her beam with pride. They get it. Animals have been competing in a
primal, deadly struggle longer than we have been able to write about it. This
translates perfectly to sport. They just want to beat their opponents. One last
horse racing example: at the Belmont Stakes in 1999, Charismatic broke his
front left leg in the final furlong. Jockey Chris Antley could tell that something
had happened and tried to pull him up before the wire. Charismatic can be seen
fighting his jockey to finish the race. As soon as he was able, Antley jumped
off and fell to the ground, protecting the leg until help could arrive. This
action very likely saved Charismatic’s life. That horse wanted to win, running
through the pain of a broken leg. All he knew was that he wanted to beat the
other athletes on the track.
There
are lessons that can be learned from any athletic endeavor, triumph, or failure.
What I learned while watching American Pharaoh on Saturday was that the drive
for success spans species. We are on this planet for whatever reasons we feel
are best, but primarily to succeed. To triumph over our own mortality and
weaknesses, to make it a better place for our children. Athletics can and do
help us to realize that eternal struggle. In my mind, on the field, ice, court,
track…wherever, there is as much that can be learned in defeat as there can in
victory. Not everyone deserves a medal, but American Pharaoh earned his.
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