OLYMPICS: Michele Smith, Unsung Hero of the USA Softball Team

Lisa Fernandez, Dr. Dot Richardson. To most softball fans, those names are very familiar. Now, after winning the second consecutive gold medal at the Olympics, they are becoming even more popular. But What about Michele Smith?

She is one of the greatest players that you might not know about.

The Olympics by far were a struggle for the US softball team. Everyone expected them to breeze through, but with a string of three consecutive losses, their fate was unknown.

In those losses, there was one pitcher who gave excellent outings -- Michele Smith.

Her pitches were on, her velocity was there and her stuff was outright nasty. When the teams touched her up, it wasn't for much.

One would think then -- why would she take the losses?

The US team couldn't hit a soccer ball in the early goings. It doesn't matter how many strikeouts the pitcher got, or if she gave up one run. The team has to be able to pick her up with run support, and they just didn't do it.

Michele has dedicated her life to softball, playing in Japan and being named MVP of that league several times.

She can hit the ball well and has a nasty drop -- what more could you ask for?

Well, she is a good role model for your child too.

After enduring injuries from a car accident (they never thought she would pitch again in the cold weather) she can hardly feel her fingers... yet she perseveres.

That perseverance paid off. She now has a second gold around her neck.