Doolittle

-
I’ve known about Nationals pitcher Sean Doolittle for a long time.

You see, before he was the closer of the Nationals World Series winning team, he was on the Oakland Athletics.

Inexplicably, two of my three kids like the A’s.

One of my kids, Jake, is very in tune with athletes who do good things with their money and time. Doolittle once purchased 900 tickets for an event and donated the tickets to an LGBTQ organization because he didn’t want there to be empty seats.

Doolittle has been a talented, but outspoken member of every team he’s ever been on. He’s not shy either and just this week we learned that he has an autistic brother-in-law and he decided that he didn’t care to go to the celebration at the White House because he couldn’t “hang with a guy” who speaks as Donald Trump does.

It’s a common theme.

Half of the Red Sux didn’t go last year.

The entire Golden State Warriors decided against attending.

Athletes who have showed up have been handed fast-food.

Doolittle’s announcement brought forth a whole lot more of the division that we are all living through.

“Shut up and pitch!”

“Who wouldn’t want to go?” Others asked.

I gave it some thought.

My chances of ever being on a championship sports team, while not non-existent, is certainly not practical at this time in my life.

So, let’s discuss a different scenario:

If Trump were to ring my doorbell and ask to come in...

...I would say no.

I wouldn’t shake his tiny hand.

I wouldn’t listen to him speak.

I’ve heard enough, and I do not share his sensibilities on a number of subjects.

I’ve never wavered in my thoughts on him.

I believed that he was a conman back in the 1980’s...

...he’s done absolutely nothing to make me change my beliefs, and I honestly believe that all of this should have been over a long, long time ago...

...when he made fun of the disabled reporter.

Doolittle is also, most likely, going to be the recipient of a hate tweet. I’m sure it’ll be a clever play on his surname, and refusing to go has most likely placed a target on Doolittle’s back...

...but I admire his stance.

Millions of Americans would also decide to NOT go, and no matter where you sit on the spectrum of the political landscape, you must agree...

...that it’s truly sad.

Just sad.

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