It used to be so easy.  Back when I was a kid, all you did was
flick on the TV and sit and watch sports.  You were moved,
inspired and driven to be just like those guys, those athletes
who dazzled you with their brilliance.  They were role models —
or so we thought — because all those athletes were great
talents, engaging with their followers and giving an image of
being the perfect person.  Back then.  This is probably the
point where I sound like I’m slipping back to that forbidden
land. I sound like I’m reenacting my grandfather’s “You kids
have it so easy” speech before talking about how he walked 10
miles to school, uphill both ways.  But, that’s not it.
Everything has changed dramatically.  When I was young, my idol
was Rocky Colavito, the right fielder for the Cleveland Indians.
That’s who I wanted to be.  I wanted to play right field, which
was a blessing to my Little League coaches. With my limited
athletic skill set, that’s exactly where they wanted me to play.
I volunteered to basically stand out o