This year it seems as though we have lost so many famous people, perhaps a few more than usual. We have lost Bobby Murcer and Tony Snow along with others to cancer this year. Here's a story of someone that refused to lose. Doug Davis of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Doug was diagnosed with thyroid cancer earlier this year.
Anytime you mention the "C" word, it makes you cringe even if you aren't the one that has been diagnosed with this horrific disease. Doug took the news in stride and said I am going to beat this thing, and no one will stop me. Doug decided that before he went on the DL, he was going to give his team 2 more starts. Can you blame him? As far as he or anyone else knew, it could have been the last 2 starts of his career, or more importantly his life. He never hung his head in public. If he hung it in private, I'm not going to call him any less of a man.
Why I am writing about him tonight? Because yesterday Doug threw a masterpiece of a game. I know it was against an inferior team, the San Diego Padres, but last time I checked, they were getting paid to play the game just like Davis is. The other extraordinary thing that comes to mind is that Doug has a fastball, two different kinds, a cutter which moves both in and out to hitters, depending on how he holds it, and a change up that makes his average fastball 84-89 mph look like gas.
Doug went out an was absolutely perfect for 6 and a third innings before Brian Giles broke up his bid at Baseball history. Are you flippin' kidding me? A guy who is a little more than two months removed from thyroid surgery throws a gem like this? Last year John Lester from the Red Sox, threw a no hitter, but he had a little more time to bounce back from the bad hand life dealt him.
I could only wish for the courage I have witnessed this year from Doug. He thanks the main man above for his good fortune, and you have to give him credit for walking around the dugout a few days after his surgery showing off his scar. Yes he is a man's man, and yes, he is a hero.
When things seem like they couldn't be any worse, think about the deeds and courage that we witness on a daily basis from the people that take the field every day. No matter how bad things get, there is always someone out there that loves and cares for you. It is your job to keep your head up, and wait for the time when you can say, Ha Ha, I won.
Ahhhh the beauty of being a survivor.........God bless and be well.
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