Dad quits job to honor vow, see son pitch in College World Series

Here is a great story that depicts a father and his integrious act, on Father’s Day no less.

Editor’s Note: Facts and reporting below quoted from David Brown, on the Yahoo Sports Blog – Click Here for Article Source

File Courtest of the AP

~David Roth vowed he would not miss another chance to watch his son pitch for South Carolina at the College World Series if the Gamecocks returned to Omaha after winning the national championship in 2010. But when his son’s team made it back, David Roth found himself in a tough spot. Unable to get personal time off from work, he needed to make a decision.

Michael Roth announced it on Twitter on Saturday:

“How’s this for dedication? My dad had to quit his job to make it out to Omaha. Couldn’t get here last year. #novacationdays”

Michael Roth has not allowed an earned run in 37 1/3 innings for South Carolina, and his ERA for the season is 0.97. As a result of his success, the Cleveland Indians made him a 31st-round pick in the June draft. Roth is unsigned so far, but even if he signs, he doesn’t get many guarantees professionally. His career could be over quickly. It could be over this week.

David Roth was unemployed and in the stands at TD Ameritrade Park on Father’s Day, watching his son pitch 7 1/3 innings in a 5-4 victory for South Carolina against Texas A&M.

“Obviously, it was pretty special considering it was Father’s Day yesterday,” [Michael Roth] said Monday. “I’m glad that he’s here. It’s been pretty cool having my family here. [...]

“My dad’s been a huge inspiration for baseball for me,” he said. “It’s definitely nice to have him out here.” ~

So what makes this act integrious? For starters, David followed through on a promise. I don’t know if he made the vow to himself or to his son, but none the less, a promise is a promise. More importantly however, is the fact that keeping his word cost him his job. It is easy to keep one’s word, to do the right thing, or follow through on commitments when there are no risks, repercussions or a perceived sense of loss. This is where the rubber meets the road and where integrity is found. From an outside perspective it is challenging to be certain if a person or an action is in fact, integrious. When one takes a risk, or gives up something of value, there is a greater chance that integrity is present.

Similar to the concept that courage exists when a fear is overcome, integrity exists when one makes a personal sacrifice for a higher value. Granted, we only see the headline and certainly there are other variables in place (maybe he was ready to quit his job anyway) but the fact remains, and these are the examples that we need to call out and recognize as integrious acts. Here’s why….. I just realized something very interesting. The original blog/article that I read on Yahoo.com (linked at the top) was probably read by millions of people; however the word integrity wasn’t mentioned once. If there is one word to describe this act and the character trait of the subject, it is integrity. Yet the word doesn’t get used? Interesting. And sadly I am not surprised, as I run across this often. It just doesn’t enter into most people’s thought process anymore.

Integrity is seemingly drifting away…..and it is crucial that we who value integrity, who know it, who see it…..start to call it out, name it, talk about it. If we don’t, Integrity may become the lost and forgotten virtue.