Welcome to the Lions, Johnny!

-

One of the true loves of my childhood...and let's be honest here...young adult...adult and just about middle age...was my association with the Lions.

The Lions were a softball team, of course, but we are also a great group of friends...and putting on a Lions jacket must feel a whole lot like it feels to put on the Yankee pinstripes.

Love.

Tradition.

Legacy.

And Winning.

Guys who are Lions greet one another differently, even after all these years. The team was started during the camping days and the first time we played ball together we used a tennis ball...and we all chose sticks that we'd use as bats.

I'm not kidding.

We weren't poor...we just didn't have our equipment with us...but we wanted to play!

So we improvised.

I must have been about 13 when we played that first game...but I remember the first pitch, (Henry Paul was the batter), like it was yesterday.

And the Lions stuck together, playing for a lot of years.

We finally won the league championship in 1995.

19 years of not winning!

We were all thrilled.

I remember turning to my Mom, who was in the stands wearing a Lions jacket (much like the one Johnny is wearing in the photo) and I said:

"We did it!!!"

Mom said:

"It's about time."

Of course...it meant so much...because of the love.

I recall the celebrations (we won again in '96)...

My brother Jeff got a bunch of hits in the clinching game (I still have the score book) and I just hurt when I think of how happy he was. Those moments are what needs to be cherished...and they are!!!

To Johnny:

Your Dad was a good player! He'd misjudge a fly ball now and again...but he could hit...and he made all of us laugh...every single day...every game!

I know the guys on the Lions.

I know they are all smiling as they see Johnny wearing Jeff's coat.

I don't have to ask for a vote...

...Johnny is on the team!

Welcome to the Lions, buddy!

We love you!

Comments

John said…
I'll start the voting, "Aye"
09 March, 2015
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

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 bet you tha
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’mon, Oliver,”
Read more