For those who want depressing news and hard edged political debate, read something else. This is a feel-good story about what’s right and good in America.
Jennie Finch has announced that she will retire next month. For those who don’t quite remember the name, Jennie Finch is uber-talented softball pitcher who led the 2004 USA Women’s Softball team to Olympic Gold in Athens, Greece. She pitches now for the Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Softball League and will step down at the end of the season.
Let me tell you a little about this woman. In high school she lettered four consecutive years in softball and picked up additional varsity letters in basketball and volleyball. She went on to the University of Arizona where she compiled a 119 win, 16 loss career record. Over the 2001 and 2002 seasons she set an all time NCAA record by pitching 51 consecutive victories. When interviewed about the accomplishment, she said, “It’s significant and it’s nice. But it doesn’t even come close to the team goal of winning a national championship.” Later, as a member of the Chicago Bandits, she pitched a perfect game, a feat accomplished by only 20 major league pitchers.
Known almost as much for her striking appearance as her athletic prowess, Jennie Finch (now Daigle) appeared in swimsuit editions of Sports Illustrated. But, when she was offered buckets of money to pose nude for Playboy and Maxim, she declined. She’s married now with a four year old son, Ace, and is stepping away from softball to devote her time to her family.
Seeing the story of her retirement brought back a wonderful memory. You see, I knew one of her teammates on the 2004 Gold Medal USA team, right fielder Leah O’Brien. I met Leah working a charity event in 1994 and struck up a friendship. Two years later in 1996 Leah was the right fielder for the USA Gold Medal team at the Atlanta Olympics. Not long after the Olympics that year, I received a small package. The autographed softball in the package still sits on the bookcase in my office. The inscription reads,
“[Name] – Wishing you the BEST from Tucson! Leah O’Brien (in beautiful flourished script) #20 USA Softball GOLD! 1996.”
She went on to win two more Gold Medals for her country, 2000 in Sydney, Australia and, with Jennie Finch, 2004 in Athens. Leah’s married now too, Leah O’Brien-Amico, with three wonderful kids.
So what? Well, here’s so what. Leah and Jennie are living, breathing examples of what’s right about America. People of principal who put team and country ahead of self, who set goals and achieve them. People who believe in family, who won’t sell out for a bucket of money. People who remember and treasure their friends. It feels good to remember that there are people like that…lots of them…who are part of the fabric of America.
Thank you Jennie for all you have meant to your teammates and your country. I know your life will continue to serve as a positive example for all whose lives you touch. And, Leah, if by some fluke you should read this, hope you’re doing well. You’re one of my heroes.
[Author’s Note: the photos above are Leah O’Brien, with her three gold medals, left, and Jennie Finch combining modelling career and softball, right]
Cross posted at Elijah’s Sweete Spot.
Contributor, aka tidbits. Retired attorney in complex litigation, death penalty defense and constitutional law. Former Nat’l Board Chair: Alzheimer’s Association. Served on multiple political campaigns, including two for U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield (R-OR). Contributing author to three legal books and multiple legal publications.