Where the Hell Is Kate Hudson?

-

A-Rod used to choke. Last World Series he stopped choking. Kate Hudson was cheering him on, and more. Now she's gone. A-Rod has had a crap year. He's choking as he tries to hit #600.

Bring back Kate for a week. The Steinbrenners can hire her so she can do the job.

Which takes me to a couple of real baseball stories.

The above photo is Jake Fazzolari, of course. He hits from the left side, and just prior to this at-bat, with runners on first and second, he explained that he was just trying to hit the ball hard somewhere.

"If number 600 comes, it comes," he said as he strolled to the plate.

He lined three straight foul and then chased a high fastball for strike three.

"Guess the fans will have to wait," he said as he tossed his helmet aside, smiling the whole time.

As he strolled to the plate my mind shifted to a game played on a little league diamond 31 years ago. I was 14 at the time and was in attendance at my brother Jim's game at the North Collins Elementary School.

My mother pulled over to where I was seated on the bleachers, watching Jim, as he swung from the left side - FAZZOLARI - across his back. If memory serves me, he struck out as well.

"Bad news," Mom said as I got in the car. "Thurman Munson died in an airplane crash."

I recall a great pain in my head as I tried real hard not to cry in front of Mom and my brothers.

By then we were all Yankee fans. The team was far behind in 1979, but since it was only August, and being that they had rallied hard the year before, there was still hope. Without Thurman, the hope was gone.

The car ride home was real quiet as the radio played the details. Thurman had learned to fly so he could visit his family on his off days. He was practicing landings near his home when he crashed.

"He was just a young man," my father said as we watched the video of the crash scene.

I did cry later that night, knowing that I was forever changed with the loss of a guy who'd been a hero. Back then I didn't know that death could strip you of your heroes. Now I think of it every 15 minutes.

I wonder what Thurman would think of A-Rod. I'm guessing it wouldn't be a very favorable opinion. He hated show offs and grand gestures and men who took themselves too seriously.

"Try not to chase the high ones," I said to Jake as he reached for his glove. "I know they look good up in your eyes, but they're tough to get on top off."

"It's just a game," he said. "Number 600 will come."

Thurman would've approved.

Now if we can just get Kate back a few days so the prima dona can focus.

Comments

Larry L said…
it just took you writing this blog,he finally did it.
04 August, 2010
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I be...
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C...
Read more

Eyes on the Horizon

-
Image
My sister’s book is out there! Go get it!! It makes me so proud to see the book on Amazon, knowing that it’s very, very great! It’s been a long, long time since we were out in California, brainstorming my stories long before they were published. Carrie Lynn was writing, writing and writing some more through the years and I kept telling her… …”Go for it!” Well, she did!  To amazing results. Of course I was able to read the book as it was being put together, but I ordered a copy from Amazon yesterday and can’t wait to read it again. The shoe is on the other foot now as I have been sitting on a lot of my writing lately. I plan on getting it out there before the end of 2024, but for now: Carrie takes center stage! And it’s so great… …go get a copy!
Read more