The summer of 2026 has been great for sports overall. We’ve had some really good soccer matches, baseball games and drafts. Several local baseball players have been picked up by major league baseball teams. We hosted a World Cup and the global soccer community has been focused on games being played in our backyard.
Last night the MLB All Star game was hosted in neighboring Philadelphia. While this week arguably two of the best soccer players in history ( Messi and Ronaldo) are wrapping up their national team career playing their last games on US soil. Sometimes it feels like sports at large couldn’t reach a higher peak.
As climax as it feels that sports are right now. There is a better point, even higher. Last night senior pitcher and future Hall of Fame pitcher, Justin Verlander sat down for an interview with other names you may recognize. Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez ( A-Rod) and David Ortiz ( Big Papi). The interview was at the All Star game which will be Verlander’s final one. He’s set to retire after this season.
Part of their discussion was talking about the full circle of baseball, and sports at large. He openly commended the three baseball greats who interviewing him for being both fierce competitors and players he looked up to when he was a rookie. They reminisced on special and specific moments when Verlander as a young player pitched against them. Verlander said something along the lines of, “Watching and listening to you guys, while competing against you really inspired me. This last few seasons and especially tonight at my last All Star game ever. I’m spending time with some of the younger pitchers in the dugout.”
Soccer has given us some of that same beauty this summer. We’ve watched for a month while national level players walk out to the field each match holding the hand of a young person, boy or girl. The purple behind this tradition is to give young people and future players a moment that they won’t ever forget. To inspire them, plant in their hearts a love for the sport and to help them to dream big. As big as possibly being the player one day holding the hand of a future young person.
Beyond the penalties, goals and trophies. The balls, strikes and home runs. There’s so much more to sports than initially meets the eye. There’s the full circle of an older player spending time pouring in wisdom, knowledge and life lessons to the younger. This is undoubtedly the best side of sports on display.
