“The Heart of Sports” is a weekly column that curates the stories, pictures and moments that provide a window into the beating heart of sports:
- The moments in and around the game that are bigger than the game itself.
- The speeches to teammates and fans that are larger even than the game itself.
- The moments when sports is used as a platform for bigger social conversations.
- The thrilling moments from your childhood that you never forget.
- The tender moments among teammates.
It’s why we watch. It’s why we play. It’s the stuff that rises up out of sports and settles down into us.
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This week’s Heart of Sports comes from the TB Rays’ Tommy Pham. After homering to lead the Rays to a surprise Game 4 ALDS victory over Justin Verlander and the Astros, he gave a very candid and comfortable-in-his-own-skin answer about growing up without a father and teaching himself the game:
‘I am proud of myself’
Without a dad in the picture growing up, Tommy Pham looks to himself for getting him to where he is today 💪 pic.twitter.com/e2xIt7tsG3
— ESPN (@espn) October 9, 2019
We’re proud of you too, Tommy!
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Photo Credit: Twitter/@ESPN (screen cap)