One of the beautiful and useful aspects of sports is that they teach us something about “the zone” – that place where we concentrate, think piercingly, aren’t so conscious of time, do better. Roy “Doc” Halladay, the Phillies pitcher who tonight entered the history books by throwing a no-hitter in the post-season opener, was clearly in the zone. His teammates, including the shrewd catcher Carlos Ruiz, were likely there too. Shane Victorino, the Phillies centerfielder, who got a key hit in the game, was surely in the zone. Asked by a Phillies sportscaster after the game when it occurred to him that Halladay was on his way to a no-hitter, Victorino replied that he really hadn’t thought about it. He was concentrating on the game, staying loose, ready. He added that it wasn’t until he realized Halladay had two strikes on the last batter in the ninth that he knew something special was in the making. The same question – when did you think you were on the verge of making history - was posed to Halladay himself. He seemed a little surprised. “After the game,” he said.
When athletes are talking about what they’re thinking or feeling when they’re out on the field, it’s worth listening. They can tell us about being in the zone. On this day, the start of the playoff season, now perhaps lastingly dubbed “Doctober” by Phillies fans in honor of Halladay, Shane Victorino and Roy Halladay have told us something about this heightened level of consciousness: when you’re in the game and in the zone, you’re in the game, and that’s all there is.
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You were in the zone, Mike, when you wrote this post. Well done! Richard Evert
ReplyDeleteYes! This reminds me of Maslow's self-actualization... Everyone focused on Maslow's "hierarchy of needs" but it seems like they mostly missed the point - that once our basic needs are met, we are free to pursue the need for "self-actualization" - which consists of exactly what you're describing. Simply being, and being present, forgetting about time and worries and thriving in our every immediate pursuit. Beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteHi Mike, I was just reading through your blog during my brief lunch break. I liked this post. It reminded me of the story of Doc Ellis. Do you know him? He was a major league pitcher from 1968-1979 and at one point he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates. There is really funny illustrated video about his epic no hitter game. Check it out.....it's a different kind of "in the zone." I hope you are having a good day. Here is the link, enjoy.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vUhSYLRw14
Nicole