Don’t know how we missed this one, but Mike Bacsik’s birthday was just a few days ago. Mike was part of baseball history this summer, putting the Nationals in the national spotlight for a few days and representing our team with a lot of class. We battled to go on to win the game after Bonds historic homerun off our lefty starter/reliever.
Mike was always gracious and wonderful with fans and he entertained all of us with his (lack of) vocal talents.
Mike signed as a minor league free agent and will come to spring training to try to earn a spot on the team. We wish him the best!
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November 18th, 2007 at 12:07 am
From Sports Illustrated - Lee Jenkins nomination of Mike Bacsik as sportsman of the year
November 18th, 2007 at 12:58 am
Thanks Janet! That’s awesome!
November 18th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
I’ll go ahead and repost my comment from the Sports Illustrated thread following the Lee Jenkins nomination. It’s about 139 in the comment thread, and there are 143 as of now. I don’t know if SI is really doing a vote, but I was happy to take them up on the invitation to express an opinion.
“Mike Bacsik would never have been remembered apart from giving up home run #756 to Barry Bonds. So he may not be a “sportsman of the year” — the other comments here refer to winning records, athletic prowess and so on. But in that moment, he demonstrated humilty, grace and class. This, at one of the most controversial and hyped moments in baseball history, if not all of sports history.
So often, we see “unsportsmanlike behavior”, be it cheating, arrogance, or disrespect from the athlete for his/her sport. I consider myself privileged to have seen such an example of sportsmanslike behavior - ever.”
jdw | 11/18/07
November 18th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
well said Janet - I fully agree! I can’t think of another player who would have handled a situation like that with such class.