''FEAR STRIKES OUT'' - The Jim Piersall Story

Jimmy Piersall

---Jim Piersall was a major league baseball player for most of his adult life. He mostly played for the Boston Red Sox. His life is chronicled in his autobiography and movie of the same name. It was called, ‘’Fear Strikes Out.’’ The movie starred Anthony Perkins and Karl Malden. Perkins played Jimmy and Malden played his overbearing dad. His dad spent a lot of time ingraining into him how important it be that he, Jimmy, become a Major League Baseball Player. Jimmy did but with many foibles because of it. Jimmy had manic depression, also. See how Jimmy suffered in a quest to win his father’s approval. See how Jimmy never felt like he was GOOD ENOUGH.

JIMMY PIERSALL MELTDOWN

JIMMY PIERSALL PARENTING

---Jim spent most of his life trying to please his father instead of finding out who he, himself, is. This lifestyle of trying to be ''GOOD ENOUGH'' for his dad kept him distracted from finding who he is, the ''Golden Buddha,'' within. Jim's dad thought that keeping Jim on the straight and narrow was to keep his mind on improving his skills on the ball field rather than allowing Jim to make mistakes and learn to be himself.

---The sad outcome to this is that Jim didn't discover who he really is, the ''Golden Buddha,'' as he was very busy trying to please his dad by being who his dad thought he should be. Does any of this sound familiar to you and the way you find yourself living your own life. Many of us do much the same thing, in our own way. It could be much the same as NOT being able to accept NOT winning the election or being the best.