Sport is played in the real world

Two sportsmen with Arizona links today learned that no matter what your success or the riches that sport has given you, you're not insulated from real world tragedy.

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher, Scott Schoeneweis, was travelling with the team in Florida when he recieved the devastating news that his 39 year old wife had been found dead at home by their 14 year old daughter. Death of a wife/mother of 4 is terrible enough, but what trauma that must be for the family for their eldest daughter to make that discovery...Scott is now on his way home. But baseball, like all sport, is a business and 'the show must go on'; his team mates stayed to play a double-header against the Florida Marlins. To their credit, they won one and lost one. It must have been a difficult day to play what's simply just a game, thousands of miles away from their families who must have been in their thoughts even more than usual...

The world's number two golfer Phil Mickelson, a graduate of Arizona State University, and his wife Amy ( a former Phoenix Suns cheerleader) are dealing with the terrifying news that Amy has been diagnosed with breast cancer and requires major surgery. Phil has cancelled his PGA Tour schedule and is not expected to play again in the foreseeable future.

Sport is many things - to some it's just a game, to others a passion, and for a fortunate few it's a tremendous way to earn a very good living. But as these 2 guys have found out in the last 24 hours, it can't insulate you or your family from life's battles.

Best wishes to both of these guys and their families; and if you have someone you love, tell them...