By: A Baseball Fan

From the time he was five and through his whole life he followed that one dream. The dream that so many boys dream of: to someday be the winning pitcher in the World Series.

Finally in 2004 it came. The day had arrived. It was the St. Louis Cardinals vs. the Boston Red Sox. Was it the pressure of that dream that got to him or was his mind not yet trained, his concentration not yet honed? Had he not gained the ability to out think his opponent? Jeff Suppan lost his chance and gave up four runs in 5 innings. The dream became a nightmare.

Jeff got a second chance in 2006. After Jeff pitched two amazing games, winning both and receiving the MVP award for the National League playoffs, he and his teammates battled the San Diego Padres through 7 games to victory. A baseball hero had been born.

And so the dream was close within his grasp. He had perfected his concentration; he had learned to out-strategize his opponent. He was once again in the World Series with all of St. Louis expecting everything from him. They wanted his all: his dream, his talent, his focus.

But Jeff was also a man with values that are higher than his own personal dream - - more important than the city’s dream, and something worth sacrificing for. Jeff could have said no. Many men would have.

He didn't have to stand up against cloning on Day 4 of the 2006 World Series. He didn't have to subject his family to the pain from evil phone calls with threats and curses. He didn't have to put himself under the pressure of opposing a Hollywood mega-star in a test of will that would have the whole world talking. He could have gone out and pitched with just the pressure from the desire to fulfill his lifetime dream, the pressure to bring his team and his city to victory, the pressure of living up to being an MVP. Jeff Suppan could have just pitched the ball.

But Jeff knew deep down that if he said no he would have to live with that no. That his no might contribute to something so evil that his heart would never stop bleeding. He knew that he alone could not stop the proposed amendment to the Missouri Constitution - - but if there were a few others like him who would also take the risk, then maybe together they could help alert the state to a catastrophe that might not be realized for many years, and the shame that Missouri could be known as the capital of cloning.

He stood up on that very day he was to play - - Day 4 of the World Series. And the nation watched. He knew he was no scientist. But he knew he could read and so he did - - and he saw the fraud embedded in the proposed amendment. And being a man of integrity he knew that to risk it all for right comes before glory and before dreams, even if it means defeat.

He did not know that the pressure would last for more than just a day; that the rain would come and delay the game, and suffer he would for a second day. He accepted the pressure times two and stood the taller. And when he finally played, he proved his mettle: his team won the game and then the World Series. And all were called heroes.

But what few people know, and perhaps never will, is that on that winning day Jeff Suppan was the MVP not just for the Cardinals - - but for his state of Missouri, his country and for truth. And a true hero had emerged.

Time will be his witness.