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I think we can all agree that civility is a virtue. I suspect we can all also agree that civility is a value we would love to see more broadly and consistently embraced in our society today as well as in our day-to-day interactions with others. America is based on the belief that we hold dear and value the rights and contributions – as well as the dreams and aspirations -- of every individual. As such, there is a basic requirement that we treat each other with the highest degree of respect. We may disagree on many things, but we need to do so in a way that is civil, polite and demonstrates our fundamental respect for one another.
Interestingly, we often find some of life’s great examples and lessons demonstrated in the world of sports. Here’s a great one – right from our own backyard. It’s one of the most notorious rivalries in all of sports: Yankees vs. Red Sox. If you’re from New England or New York, there’s nothing more heated or passionate in sports. Even if you don’t support either team, if you’re simply a sports fan, you know just how intense the rivalry is. The curse of the Babe, the 2004 ALCS, Pedro vs. A-Rod. It is the definition of storied. Yet back in 2014, in what was the final season of Hall of Famer Derek Jeter’s career, there was a remarkable moment where the bitterness of this rivalry was replaced with pure class and genuine sportsmanship from both organizations. Perhaps you’re familiar with it.
In the last week of the season, Derek Jeter was playing in his final game at Yankee Stadium when he hit a walk off single to win the game in his final at bat in the Bronx. It would’ve been the perfect ending to an illustrious career. Red Sox legend David Ortiz summed it up in one word, “Perfection”. Few people wouldn’t have blamed him if he decided to sit out the final series of the season later that week in Boston, especially considering that the Yankees were not in contention for the playoffs any longer at that point. However, when asked if that’s what he planned to do, he told reporters, “Out of respect to the Boston fans and the rivalry, I will play in some capacity.” And so, the Yankees made their way to Boston, where he was to be the designated hitter. During a pre-game ceremony in his final MLB game, the Red Sox honored Jeter’s career, bringing out a who’s who of Boston sports legends and former Red Sox to congratulate him. When the game finally got underway, Jeter came up to bat in the 3rd inning. He hit an RBI single and then waved to manager Joe Girardi to bring on a pinch runner in what would be his final MLB at bat. Slowly, Fenway began loudly cheering his name, pausing the game for nearly three minutes.
If you were fortunate enough to watch the game live, witnessing two storied organizations whose players and fan bases have at times come to blows, honor not only a player but the rivalry that he was part of was truly chill inducing. What was on view may have taken place at a baseball stadium, it was in the end a moment that transcended baseball. It demonstrated the value of sportsmanship and operating on a basis of mutual respect even with your opposition, no matter how much frenzied history you may share. As NESN rightly put it in an article following the game, both organizations approached the moment with the ultimate selflessness and respect, both for each other and for the game they both play.
The moment of sportsmanship shared between the Yankees and Red Sox back in 2014 is demonstrative of what is possible when respect is the standard between opposing sides, not the exception. While competition is still valued, playing or operating with esteem for those we compete or are at odds with allows us to continue to do so, and with civility. Our current political climate being a real- life example, where the lack of respect between right and left continues to be the source of inaction and heightened contempt. While some might make the argument that sports and ‘life’ shouldn’t be compared to one another, sport, and the teams or athletes we support, tend to represent our values, our history, and our communities, the very things that make us who we are and how we live our lives. And through them, they provide us with lessons that can be applied off the field, as we saw during that special moment at Fenway Park.
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