A king, really: Clyde King could have taught today's stars a thing or two about honor

He did not have to treat every Little Leaguer like he was the next great baseball star. He did not have to pose for pictures, or to offer tips at baseball clinics.

Clyde King was a Yankee legend, with multiple World Series rings to his name.

By today's standards, he should have been stand-offish, egotistic and a money-grubber who would treat fans like they were an annoyance.

And right there, in those words, is why Clyde King was so much more of a star and a role model than 99 percent of the professional athletes working today.

There are thousands of Wayne County children -- some grown up now -- who have a Clyde King story or who got a tip or two from the baseball star.

And there are hundreds of professional and college players who also can trace their roots back to a mentorship with Mr. King.

He was a hometown hero not because of the rings on his fingers, but because he never forgot where he came from -- and he gave back to the community who supported him when he was just Clyde King the ballplayer. You do not see that kind of loyalty and class these days.

So to hear that the community has lost such a great man was nothing short of heart-breaking. There are many lives that will not be the same without him.

He was the kind of person we should all strive to be -- and his influence will live on for generations in the lessons he taught so many of those who knew and loved him.

And that is the kind of legacy to which we all should aspire.

Published in Editorials on November 5, 2010 10:52 AM