Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: Cliff Lee

Congratulations Cliff Lee! Nothing is ever a sure thing. However, how could he NOT win the American League Cy Young Award??!

Lee had what you call 'a career season!' Looking back at his last 2 seasons and realizing that he was injured for the '07 season....was in the minor leagues just 15 months ago.....and through hard work, determination, and self-motivation turned his misfortunes and injuries into what has to be his best season to date!

Many would say, 'that's what a ballplayer is supposed to do--go out and win games!' Easier said than done. The success rate and fluctuation meter for those 'employed' in such a physical career is rarely on an even keel. Athletes have good days, bad days, nurse minor injuries which get them out of sorts, are hampered by roller coaster slumping....and nothing they do or try gets them back on track.

Exterior conditions factor into a player's productivity, at times. Flying from Boston to LA may put a kink into a player's success, especially if they wind up playing in a 13 inning game.

Then pile on the media. Ok, I said it. We, the media, do not make it easy for athletes. The manager is required to get up at the crack of dawn after playing until midnight the night before to do morning drive talk radio. We hound them before the game...after the game. And now, on the major networks, they have players mic'd DURING the game....take a 1/2 inning to speak to each manager....and even have umpires mic'd up to get the 'sounds of the game.'

The media was all over Cliff Lee this season. Approaching each milestone, during and then shortly thereafter, the media hovered. He won his first 6 starts. We hounded him because that feat was last accomplished by Greg Swindell in 1988. He pitched his first shut-out. Leading up to the All-Star game, we had an interview with Lee where he comments on how the media is obsessed with whether he made the team. Lee said he just goes out each game and tries to do his best not thinking into the future --just focusing on the game at hand.

Leading up to win #20, a complete circus. Cliff Lee was up for the task. He not only won his 20th game on September 1st but pitched a complete game shutout. Nothing seemed to phase Lee and his focused determination.

His hard work paid off time and time again throughout the 2008 season:

• American League Pitcher of the Month for April, 2008
• selected to and started his 1st All-Star game on July 15, 2008
• American League Pitcher of the Month for August, 2008
• won 22 games (22-3) with an ERA of 2.54 and 170 strikeouts
• AL Comeback Player of the Year Award
• Players Choice Award, AL Outstanding Pitcher of the Year
• AL Comeback Player of the Year (awarded by fellow players)
• 4 complete games
• 2 shutouts
• American League champion for wins
• American League champion for ERA
• Sporting News Pitcher of the Year Award
• Sporting News Comeback of the Year Award
• 2008 AL Cy Young Award

As if Lee has not been in the pressure cooker the last couple of seasons, Lee's personal life has been riddled with adversity. Cliff and Kristen Lee were dealt a blow when their son, Jaxon, 4-months-old at the time, was diagnosed with Leukemia.

Jaxon, Lee and his wife conquered that battle. Jaxon, 7-years-old now, is a Children's Leukemia survivor. The Lee's have a daughter as well, 5-year-old Macie, who is probably ecstatic to have her big brother around!! The Lee's passionately support and do as much as they possibly can for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

One of my 'rule of thumbs' is to try and remember that we may only see one side of a person. Every human being has many sides which affect the final product. Give everyone the benefit of the doubt and always think the best of someone before making any assumptions or final conclusions.

Thinking of the trials and tribulations WE ourselves endure on our daily journey through life, I'm amazed by someone like Cliff Lee, who, through adversity still manages to triumph and excel. Congratulations, Cliff Lee! I've only touched the tip of the iceberg, but hopefully after reading this short tribute, you too will understand why I have chosen Cliff Lee as this week's Hidden Gem!

(this final photo courtesy: Videographer Chris Kunz)