Baby Vs. Championship...You Make The Call

I heard an interesting discussion this morning on the Mike and Mike morning show (ESPN Radio). With the U.S.Open this weekend, they were talking about some of the most memorable Opens from the past. They spent a lot of time on the 1999 Phil Mickleson/Payne Stewart finish, where Stewart sunk a putt on the last hole to win (and, interestingly enough, to finish as the only player in the entire field with a score under par...he was -1).

Mickleson's wife was very pregnant at the time, and it was entirely possible that she would go into labor during the tournament. He somewhat famously said that if she went into labor during his round, regardless of where he was on the leaderboard he would drop everything, walk off the course, and go to the hospital.

I always liked that quote. I have my values, and I'm sure not everyone shares them, but I think family should always come first. How many times will you have babies born? While the child won't remember whether or not you were there...you always will. I'd hate to miss the birth of my future children.

Anyway, the radio show turned into a "What Would You Do" debate, and there are some really valid reasons for both decisions. They mentioned one player (I don't remember who) whose team was in the Super Bowl while his wife was about to give birth. The freaking Super Bowl! What if you're Tom Brady, your team up by 3 at halftime of the Super Bowl, and your wife calls to tell you she's going into labor? In the immortal words of Keanu....what do you do?
Tom Brady may be a bad example, as he's won so many times he might not have the same compelling need to play the whole game. But you get my point. If you're an athlete, competing in your sport's big championship (U.S. Open, Super Bowl, World Series, Stanley Cup, etc.), would you stay and play (and miss your child's birth) or would you drop everything and go to the hospital?

I think I would, but one of the reasons I think this is a fun question is that there's not a clear-cut right or wrong answer. There are legitmate reasons for either decision. Do you let your teammates down who may never be in the championship again or your wife who may not give birth again? Which lifelong highlight moment do you want to miss...the big game in your beloved career or the creation of a life?

I have a few friends that are recent fathers, and judging from what they say, they'd not hesitate to drop everything and go to the hospital. Of course, I'm not a father yet. I'm not even married yet. So it's tough to say for sure one way or the other until I get there. But it's an interesting/fun sports dilema.

Or it's not and you guys think this is lame, which is totally possible too. Maybe I was too bored this morning, waiting for a ride at the auto mechanic's, and had too much time to think. Maybe I just wanted to blog again and couldn't think of anything better. But I found it a nice diversion. I was just curious to see how you guys would react? I'd remember it forever if I won the Super Bowl, or even played in it. But I'd regret it forever if I missed my kid's birth.

A side note: man, I really miss Payne Stewart. Not because I knew him and we hung out or anything...I didn't and we didn't. But he was one of the most fun-loving, colorful players ever in the world of golf. He was great at it, and he died way too young.