Olympic pride grows with time
by Katie Longworth
February 20, 2002 - International League (IL1)
Spring training may be in full swing for Major League Baseball pitchers and catchers, but for Indianapolis Indians catcher Marcus Jensen it is more than just the Arizona sun that he soaking in. Thoughts of the warm spring days and sunflower seeds are coupled by thoughts of snow and gold medals as the former Olympian Champion soaks in the Winter Olympics 2002.
"My experience at the Olympics has definitely hit me more now as I see these athletes out there," said Summer Olympic 2000 gold medal-winner Jensen. "I am following the games more closely, with a greater appreciation than I had before my Olympic experience. My TV sure is on them a lot more and I watch, thinking, âI was there'."
Jensen, 29, was a member of the silver medal 1999 Pan Am team, that qualified for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Both he and Milwaukee Brewers spring training teammate Ben Sheets were members of the 24-man team led by Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda.
A first-round draft pick in 1990 to the San Francisco Giants, Jensen was coming off a disappointing year in the big leagues with Minnesota, after batting .209 in 52 games.
"I was sent down from the big leagues and that was tough, but then I was going to the Olympics," he said. "So, it was like one opportunity was closing, but another opened."
For this Oakland, Calif.-born baseball player the travel alone to the Olympic Village is one of his fondest memories.
"It was a phenomenal experience for me to travel far and to be with the best athletes in the world," Jensen said. "But I don't even think I realized it all, until the Opening Ceremony. That was when I really knew what I was a part of. You can really sense the patriotism of your country as you line up next to athletes from all different countries, in their own unique attire, holding their flags, exchanging pins after in the Village. It was like the moment it all sunk in."
And from there it was an uphill movement of moments for Jensen and Team USA, as they won their first five games against opponents Japan, South Africa, the Netherlands, Korea and Italy. They dropped one loss to Cuba, before meeting them again in the Championship Gold Medal Game for the 4-0 victory.
But before they got to that game, Jensen, who started five of the nine Olympic games, gave the needed push for the U.S. to that championship play-off with a game-tying sacrifice fly en route to 3-2 American victory over Korea in the semi-finals.
"We had some close games and competitive opponents and there were upsets, but there was nothing but ultimate respect at the end," Jensen said. "We lined up for our medals, and the other athletes were very respectful.
"We were all fighting for the same thing, but when it was all said and done we all understood and were happy for each other."
Jensen added that his appreciation and respect extends even further for the current competitors of the Winter Olympics.
"It is different for these athletes," he said. "We had something to go back to. For us (baseball players) it was just an extended time for us to excel in our sport. For these athletes it is the epitome of what they have worked for all their lives. It's their moment to showcase their talent.
"And with the Olympics, it isn't just you who performs and does well as an individual, but it is also your country that wins."
Jensen was signed to a free agent contract with the Indianapolis Indians earlier this month. The switch hitter has played parts of the last six seasons in the major leagues with San Francisco, Detroit, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Minnesota, Boston and Texas. He has a career .261 average and 36 home runs in six seasons of Triple-A baseball.
International League Stories from February 20, 2002
- Olympic pride grows with time - OSC Original by Katie Longworth
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
