#14 - Jim Rice

I was pretty excited today to be one of the many fans that were present to see baseball legend Jim Rice's number be retired at Fenway Park today. #14 will no longer be available for wear, as it will always be up on the high, right field ledge along with a handful of other famous Red Sox numbers.

It was great to be there to witness a man who spent his entire career with one team. It was even better knowing that this man was so extremely talented, powerful, and a fierce competitor to boot - all without the use of performance enhancing drugs.

I remember watching Jim Rice play in the 80's. I used to watch the games with my Memere, my grandmother. She loved the Sox and watched every single game. She enjoyed watching Jim Rice play and I enjoyed watching him play, with her. I wouldn't quite understand the depth of his talent until later in my life.

Jim Rice, along with other Red Sox greats like Wade Boggs and Dennis Eckersley were inspiration for my baseball-playing years. I always wished that I had a woman to model myself after, on the field; what I didn't know is that I had excellent role models for my game, unlike the children of today. I played baseball through my sophomore year of high school. I was the only girl on the team (or in the league) for the last two years that I played. I held my own most of the time, especially with hitting.

I am grateful for players like Jim Rice who served as a beacon of true talent. I wish that today's players would take a lesson from him. Congrats Jim - you deserve it!