Mr. 2987

All throughout Derek Jeter's chase for 3,000 hits, whenever he gets up to the plate YES flashes the graphic that shows how close he is, so we always see the name SAM RICE.  Rice had 2,987 hits, making him the closest to 3,000 without getting there.  Mostly, people shake their heads and wonder how he could ever quit when he was so close.  And I did too, until it dawned on me: Rice knew that as long as he hovered around JUST UNDER 3,000 hits, he'd live on in history forever!!  Every time someone starts closing in on 3,000 you'll see Rice's name sitting there, parked right under Roberto Clemente's 3,000.  Nobody will ever retire again that close to the milestone, as the media frenzy surrounding the march to 3,000 would just be too crazy.  Meanwhile, once you pass 3,000 nobody gives a shit, they only list Clemente and maybe one more before cutting off the graphic.  So Sam Rice knew EXACTLY what he was doing, that tv and the internet et al would always be forced to show his name.  Genius!

So remember - it's not always just about attaining your goals, since sometimes when you crap out without bothering to actually achieve them, THAT'S where greatness truly lies!