So, does that mean that the history of baseball will change?  Not for Armando Galarraga, but maybe the league will consider the possibility of instant replays in the future; so, other players will not have to be totally at the mercy of one umpire for their career statistics and a chance to be in the history books.

On November 17, 1968 you may have planned to watch the heart pounding upset of the Oakland Raiders against the New York Jets.  But, you blinked.  When you opened your eyes again, you were watching the made-for-television movie Heidi.

If you were an angry viewer, join the crowd.  So many people called to complain to NBC that the switchboard went down.  It was attributed to human error.  Do you suppose someone lost their job because the whole Eastern half of the United States missed the most exciting minute or two of the major rivalry?

Now, imagine being a famous defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings.  You are playing professional ball.  You have a lot of great plays to your credit. You don’t miss 282 consecutive games.  You recover 29 fumbles.

But, after 20 years, you are remembered for your most famous mistake. A few seconds out of your life will go down in sports history as one of the most embarrassing moments. One of those fumbles you recovered yielded a great touchdown for the other team!  Well, it was actually considered a safety; but, if you were Jim Marshall, you went the wrong way! Thankfully, insult wasn’t added to injury, and the Vikings won regardless.

The King

Even though Elvis Presley died over 30 years ago, anybody that hasn’t grown up under a rock knows him as the king of rock and roll.  In some circles, he is as popular today as he was back then.  Children of die-hard fans have grown up with his music.  Some have even visited Grassland and become collectors of his memorabilia.

But, did you know that he was actually fired after one performance at the Grand Ole Opry?  The manager didn’t think he had what it took to become a star, and actually suggested that he go back to driving a truck for a living.  Today, even after three decades, more impersonators make their living off of Elvis than probably any other famous individual, regardless of their vocation.  Do you wonder if that manager ever wished he could take those words back?

The wife of a cowboy may have a few modern conveniences in her kitchen.  But, she works very hard.  During certain seasons there are extra hands to feed.  It’s like having a potluck for the neighborhood, except you are the only one cooking.  She is often responsible for taking care of the babies that have lost their mama.  When the calves are small, it would not be surprising to see on in her kitchen.

The elements are not the only danger facing a cowboy.  For instance, never walk behind a cow. One good kick can put a big man in the hospital.  Unfortunately, there are times when the risk must be taken.

Like horses, a cow’s hooves need to be properly filed down to prevent them from becoming lame.  If neglected, a cow with sore feet is less likely to be in the mood, if you know what I mean.  If they are already milking, they will not produce as much.  Of course, there are the times when a cowboy has to play midwife, and actually pull a calf from his mama.  The life of a cowboy is not for the faint of heart.

Recreation

The life of a cowboy is not all work and no play.  But, even their definition of play would be considered hard work for most of us.

For the real cowboy, the rodeo is their chance to shine and show off all of their skills that they use every day, and then some. While the end result may be entertaining the crowds in the bleachers, it takes a lot of hard work and practice to make it to a rodeo.

It is also a very dangerous sport, regardless of the event. You might enjoy the antics of the rodeo clowns.  But, they are not there just to entertain the masses.  If a cowboy goes down, it’s their job to keep the wild bull or horse from trampling the cowboy, until they can get him out of the ring.  They may look funny.  But, they know all the tricks to distract the dangerous, and some have paid the price for saving the life of a cowboy.

Now, you have had a brief glimpse into the life of a cowboy or cowgirl, in the past and in the present.  As long as you are enjoying that juicy steak or drinking a cold glass of milk, there will be a cowboy that still makes a living taking care of the livestock that provides you nourishment.