Baseball is my favorite sport because it exemplifies a team concept and individuality at the same time. A team concept in baseball is important because it encourages you to participate with nine other people at a high level of competition. Baseball allows you to bond with those people you play with; it makes your teammates think alike and react alike in certain situations. Although baseball is primarily a team sport in other regards it is an individual sport because of accolades received by players who have accomplished great things. Some of baseballs personal achievements include the Hall of Fame, batting and home run titles, All-Star appearances, and Gold Gloves.
My dad has always been a huge influence in my life, as far as sports are concerned. He introduced me to baseball when I was a toddler. He was one of those dads that never forced sports on his kids but put a glove in your crib just in case. When I got to be four or five years old I would sit with him and my older brother to watch the Baltimore Orioles. Ever since I was eight I have played baseball competitively.
Being as though Washington D.C. has not had a baseball team in over 30 years, until recently, my favorite team has been the Baltimore Orioles. Aside from my dad telling me that the Orioles are my team, the Ripken family is the real reason I love the O's. My brother and I went to Cal Ripken Sr. baseball school for five straight summers. I learned a lot of important baseball skills and got to meet and talk to Cal Sr. on more than several occasions. Cal Ripken Jr. was also a dominant figure in baseball with his MVP season in 1991, numerous All-Star appearances and Iron-Man streak. Through all of those amazing accomplishments nothing stands out more than how Cal Jr. personified good moral values, discipline, and integrity to the game.
Although Cal Ripken Jr. is one of the greatest O's and MLB players of all time he is not my favorite player. My favorite baseball player is Rafael Palmeiro. Palmeiro is currently the DH (designated hitter) and 1B (first baseman) for Baltimore . This is Rafael's second stint with the birds. He had played in Baltimore from 1994-1998 and returned last year. Even through he has played most of his career with the Texas Rangers he stated last year that he wants to retire as an Oriole. With over 550 homeruns in his career most people would agree that he is a shoe in for the Hall of Fame.