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Ice Chip #347
Dear Ice Chip reader:
As we continue with Remember the Ice 2.0 here is an example of how we can create a new perspective to an iconic call of a great moment in sports.
Kirk Gibson’s legendary home run occurred in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, on October 15, 1988, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Gibson, pinch hitting for the Dodgers in the bottom of the ninth inning, with injuries to both legs, hit a two-run walk-off home run off the Oakland Athletics” Dennis Eckersley that won Game 1 for the Dodgers by a score of 5–4.
CBS handled the national radio broadcast of the 1988 World Series, with Jack Buck providing play-by-play and Bill White as the analyst. This was Buck’s call. It begins here with Buck speculating on what might happen if Gibson manages to reach base:
… then you would run for Gibson and have Sax batting. But, we have a big 3–2 pitch coming here from Eckersley. Gibson swings, and a fly ball to deep right field! This is gonna be a home run! Unbelievable! A home run for Gibson! And the Dodgers have won the game, five to four; I don’t believe what I just saw!
The last sentence is often remembered and quoted by fans. Buck followed it with,
I don’t believe what I just saw! Is this really happening, Bill?
So when we Stop and Think about the basic tenet of Remember the Ice, we realize Jack Buck is saying I do believe what I just saw.
To emphasize his momentary dis-belief in this miraculous finish to a World Series game, perhaps it would have made more sense to ask the question:
Can you believe what we just saw? Can you believe what we just saw?
I remember watching that game as it happened, and Gibson’s one armed swing was magical to watch. It did seem to come out of that special “unbelievable place” where sports legends are born.
I can believe what we just saw, because I saw it with my own eyes.
Keep your awareness up on the word “don’t” and keep working at creating a paradigm shift in rephrasing.
Empowering Regards,
Bob
