Fathers’ Land
Outside the Lines (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, ESPN)
Sixty-seven years ago, as World War II was coming to an end, allied troops liberated the concentration camps where Adolf Hitler had called for the murder of millions of innocents, mostly Jews. Today, the descendants of the camp’s victims and survivors grapple with the issue of modern Germany – how to forgive without forgetting. A young American hockey player, Evan Kaufmann, has come to embody those tensions. Jeremy Schaap reports Kaufmann’s dilemma – should he represent and wear the flag of the country that killed and tortured members of his family?
“A lot of my family was either chased out of Germany, or ended up being murdered in the Holocaust. So, is it right for me to come here? Is it something I should even be thinking about doing? I think to become a German citizen, knowing all of that, was definitely, at the time, a very tough decision.” -Evan Kaufmann
“You can’t help but think about what my family went through 70 years ago and the hardships that they suffered. But I think, more than that, you had to think about the strides that have been made since then, and in my own personal experiences.” –Kaufmann
“When I initially came here, being in the locker room with my teammates, I’d be wondering, ‘What was my teammate’s grandfather doing at the time that my grandfather was suffering, and was he part of the actions?” –Kaufmann
One Swing
SportsCenter (Sunday, 10 a.m., ESPN)
On July 9th, 2005, Chicago Cubs outfielder Adam Greenberg made it to the plate for his first appearance in the Major Leagues. But he never got the chance to take a swing. Greenberg was hit on the head on the first – and only – pitch of his big league career, and the consequences of that injury ended his time in the Majors. Seven years later, after a chance encounter with the pitcher who had curtailed his career, Greenberg has a new perspective on his baseball odyssey and his future in the game. Greg Garber tells the story.
“It was as traumatic of an experience — going from the happiest, highest point in my entire life to, ‘Oh my God, am I going to live past this?” — Adam Greenberg, on the pitch that ended his major league career
“I always felt like I was this close. I always felt I was right there the whole time.” — Greenberg, on his dream to return to the major leagues.
Puerto Rican NBA Star Jose “Piculin” Ortiz; Mexican Goalkeeper Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa
ESPN Deportes’ E:60 (Tuesday, 9 p.m.)
Carolina Guillen and Jose Ortiz
The second episode of ESPN Deportes’ E:60 will report on the Federal case of Puerto Rican basketball player Jose “Piculin” Ortiz, and the ups and downs of Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa. Carolina Guillen reports on charges against Ortiz related to drug trafficking. Ochoa tells Fernando Schwartz about replacing veteran star Adolfo Rios and his deep frustrations with the Mexican National Team.
Kansas City Royals Fans are “Tired of Waiting” for a Winner
ESPN.com
The Kansas City Royals have not been to the postseason since the 1985 World Series. It’s the longest drought in baseball. Yet here they are, their city hosting the MLB All-Star Game. Fair, or foul? Liz Merrill reports.