Letter from the Editor

According to Webster, the word ‘adversity’ means ‘a state of wretchedness or misfortune, poverty and trouble… or an instance of misfortune or calamity.’ When applied to the sports world, we often hear the term ‘overcoming adversity’ when referred to players. You can debate whether it’s an overused phrase or not but three instances come to mind: • Lance Armstrong: Arguably the athlete of this decade, Armstrong overcame cancer to win seven consecutive races of the Tour de France. • Kirk Gibson: World Series announcer Vin Scully said Dodger outfielder Kirk Gibson couldn’t pinch hit in the late innings of the first game of the 1988 World Series because of a severe thigh injury. Gibson walked to the plate later in the game and hit a home run off of Dennis Eckersley to win the game. That was his only at bat in the Series and he was named MVP. • Willis Reed: The Knick