Father's Day

You know, Father's day, and the period of time that elapses between Father's and Mother's day, tends to be reflective time. My perspective is as a middle aged son who has watched his parents grow older in a long, slow, steady fashion. I appreciate this more as we communicate much more as peers now, and we say good things to each other that many of my peers did not get the chance to say, because of untimely death or debilitating illness.

I recently got the chance to drive my parents bach to the North Shore from Florida. It's a trip I wanted to make, on so many different levels, but mainly to have a few laughs with Mom and Dad . . . . and they told stories about their childhood, and me growing up, and ribbed me because I'm bald as a cueball, and my older (yup older) brother, still has a pretty healthy rug . . . . how does this happen?? But I jest. I'm really glad I made that journey, and I think they are, too.

Once upon a time my parents both fancied that I may write. Journalist, columnist . . . . who knows? At the time, writing didn't grab at me as a vocation or a profession. I'm involved in a business now, and it's a fine, challenging. responsible profession. Recently my Dad hinted that it's never too late to find that voice, and look for that expressive means . . . . so I created my first blog and wrote a little story. I think I got three hits . . . better than none, right?

It's no 38 Pitches, but I'm not a celebrity either. Just another person with a point of view . . . . .

I doubt I'll be battling any of the heavyweights for a Pulitzer, and I may never make a dime chatting about sports, music, getting balder (est!), and whatever else seems important at print time, but maybe for the first time in my life, I'm not afraid to crash and burn.....there's always the next opinion, another Bruins/Celts/Sox?Pats win or loss . . . . pretty much anything as a brief means of escape from the real world.

I'd love to give this to my Dad as a Father's Day present, Thanks for turning the light back on Dad . . . . .you've been the light turner for us as a family for almost 59 years. I am both proud and humbled by that and consider myself very lucky.

More than a beginning

Do you like to write? Do you love sports? Do you find it a little harder as a middle aged New Englander to hate the Yankees? To steal from Rick Pitino, that ain't Thurman Munson, or Graig Nettles, or the Goose coming thru that door. In some ways passion has been replaced with a suitcase, and winning games has been replaced with contracts that 'keep score'. Not true for all cases. I will always respect Curt Schilling for trying to pitch 2 years ago, not liking the results, and moving on. Teams were willing to pay him to take the Roger Clemens tour, but he is in the gaming business and being Curt, which may make him Governor around here someday if he wishes to commit to it.

I have not written an essay for any purpose since I was 22 years old. I have done things for work, or other life requirements, but not a composition. i hope this doesn't suck too bad!!

I'd like to dedicate this first entry to my Dad. He's given me a lot: my love for sports, the push at a young age to try athletics, and was the first person to recognize I was wired different - loving sports and liking to participate is not always a bridge to high competition, both in sports and in life. It's taken me a long time to figure that out, and be able to deal with it. Dad also encouraged me to put pen to paper. You rock, Grampy . . . .

I feel a little like the Tin Man right now (some would say the Scarecrow . . . . if I only had a brain), but that's fine. Take your shots . . . I will only get better . . . .

A much discussed topic, but I feel bad for Mike Lowell. David Ortiz is productive, Victor Martinez can wear 2 gloves, as we saw tonight, and Adrian Beltre is pretty damn good in his own right. Lowell has complained a little publicly, but has done what he needs to, collects a good salary, and no one is going to trade for him unless they have a corner infield/DH injury and the sox eat 75-80% of the tab . . . . . we are very lucky to have Terry Francona, who is Switzerland to the opposing sides of Theo and Mike. Theo can't just give him away . . . . 12M is a huge nut to write off. And Mike . . . like george Carlin said, he just wants to go home. Baseball is a pastoral pursuit where the object is to go home. I hope Mike gets a chance to touch 'em all a few more times. He deserves it.