Doc

-
Back in 1978 a young outfielder with the California Angels, Lyman Bostock, was shot dead in a case of mistaken identity.

I was just 13 years old at the time, but was as big a baseball fan as you could be. I'd seen Bostock hit a homer at a game between Toronto and Minnesota at exhibition stadium. Bostock had been with the Twins then. It was the first homerun I'd ever seen live.

So, his death shook me.

Was the first wave of thinking about death, in what has become a lifelong dance. The new book is called The big D.

The dance continues.

My son, Jake, texted me during the day on Tuesday.

"Roy Halladay died."

I was on a shuttle bus on the way to the airport in New York. I hadn't seen any news of the day. (No wonder my mood was good).

"WHAT!!!"

"Plane crash. Man, Doc was great," Jake wrote.

And he was a great pitcher for Toronto and Philly.

Not good...

...great.

He caused the Yankees fits, but as a baseball fan, I enjoyed watching him perform.

As per usual, I didn't go read any of the coverage.

(Just dancing).

I boarded the plane.

When I landed there were two more texts from Jake:

"Man, this is so sad!"

And

"He donated $100,000 to kids in Toronto and Philly, every year!"

Jake was feeling as I felt when Bostock passed, and my poor kids started their dance earlier than I had, and they still ache when they think about lost family members.

I needed to be wise for him.

But I was out of wisdom.

Takes me a whole book to arrive at conclusions!

So, we simply commiserated.

Talked about Halladay's playoff no-hitter.

His family.

His life-long passion with aviation.

Celebrated what we knew of his life...

...'cause that's all you can do.

And as I closed my eyes on Tuesday night I considered Bostock rounding the bases back about 40 years ago.

A big, strong athletic kid.

Gone. A short time later.

Dance.

RIP, Doc.

Comments

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