Opening Day of baseball. The neighborhood is alive with summer sounds. It’s lunchtime. I’m sipping my lunch from a tin can. I have a friend with me. A 12-year-old blind girl named Becca. My goddaughter and I are wearing loud, ugly Hawaiian shirts and our Braves hats. Per the tradition. My wife is cussing at the radio.
Wow, what a visual….my husband recalls listening to ball games on the little radio out in the sun porch with his grandpa. Grandpa smoked a pipe…70 years later he still recalls the smell and how special it was to have base ball time with grandpa. We never forget the best times…and memories are all we really get to take with us as we age. Stuff is stuff…memories are priceless.
Sean, you and baseball! When I happen to hear what the Braves are dong, I think only of you. I generally don't keep up with any sport. It's just not my thing. I never was an athlete. In school, I was nearly always the last person picked for a team. The only sport I ever took up was tennis and I played that for years, until the time my raquet flew out of my hand when I was swinging to hit the ball. My arthritic hands could no longer hang onto a raquet. I was sad for a while, but my game had been going downhill, so I knew it was time to stop. My only "sport" now is walking a couple of miles almost every day, except when it's raining hard. I'm happy that you have baseball as your connection to your father. He probably watches you watching the games. I'm sure he's also happy that you are taking care of Becca. He's proud of you and all your accomplishments along with your compassion for humanity!
And they won the game today. The Braves. Opening Day. You are home with Rebecca and Jamie. What could be better? And I'm still wearing a ring I bought for myself on my birthday in October when my husband went to the World Series in Atlanta without me. And I still smile
Sean, great news that your scans were clear!!!!!! And you were at one of your favorite places to partake of two joyful events. Good health and baseball (and a beer to top it off)
Baseball was the only thing my mother, my daughter and I could enjoy together. Both of them were extremely athletic, but apparently it skips generations in our family. Although I never played, I raised a daughter who was a superstar softball player and she loved to watch major league ball from the age of five. The Texas Rangers got a new stadium that year, and her daddy‘s boss had front row seats on the first baseline. She got to attend the very first game ever played there, while I watched the game on TV. When she got home I asked her what the new ballpark was like, and she said “Mama, it’s just like a church, except for baseball.“ I thought of those words every time I walked through the gates of our beloved former stadium. I will always be sad that my mama passed away last fall, just days before the Rangers finally won a World Series. It felt weird to watch our opening game yesterday without her, but I know she was cheering when we pulled out that 10th inning win. In spite of everything that’s wrong with the game today, there is so much about baseball that is right. Here’s to a great season!
What a glorious day and 30th birthday for Matt Olson--three doubles! Baseball, too, is my touchstone. My mother passed away on my 38th birthday (20 years ago this month). She kept score for my softball games growing up, and we kept scorebooks during stressful games when Glavine, Maddux (my oldest grandson is named after him), and Smoltz were on the mound. They are my time capsules. Thank you for sharing your memories.
The TV in the house on with the volume turned off & the radio volume turned up full blast during the Chicago Cub games. This was so my stay-at-home mom could continue doing her house “chores” & when Jack Brickhouse or Harry Carey would cheer for a great play she would run from wherever she was to the TV & watch the replay. Her hero & favorite player- Ernie Banks of course. Mom and dad had tickets which were first row seats directly behind the Cubs dugout. At the first game she attended she continuously beat hard on the dugout roof yelling Ernie Ernie trying to get Mr. Banks to come out so she could speak to him. Well, it worked & she finally got her very own hard earned autograph & hug from the greatest! From then on, if mom was there she got her Ernie hug. For her 90 birthday & living in Florida at the time, her only request was to go back to Wrigley Field one more time. So in 2017 myself, my daughter, & my granddaughter ( 4 generations) made her dreams come true.
My dad loved baseball. The Angels had spring training in our town fifty years ago. My dad caught a baseball with his bare hands, and gave it to my brother. I think he still has that ball. Next time I see him, I'll ask him.
I love this story and the tribute to opening day season. My father was this man. He loved baseball. In his last days as his memory of everything present tense was like a blender, his childhood was crystal clear. He told stories of playing baseball and coaching baseball on repeat. I recorded some and love to hear his voice on repeat some days. Also in the last days I played the Marlins World Series games and he watched as if it was the first time he had seen them. They brought him joy. As his lost his ability to speak, he held onto a baseball and it stayed through his last breath. In those last breaths we cheered him on, like he had our whole lives. The hospice nurse told him on her final visit had rounded third and all he had to do know was make it home. As the funeral home came to retrieve his body, we played the national anthem and stood side by side hands over chest like he had at so many baseball games. Batting practice pre-game was his favorite at Marlins games. Just like life, he made the most out of every catch, throw, hit he could. Thank you for this story and taking me down a teary, but beautiful memory lane.❤️
We didn’t have T-Ball when my brother and I were growing up. We had Minor League, Little League, and Babe Ruth. We both played Minor League for four seasons. I wasn’t good enough to move up to Little League but my brother played two more seasons in Little League. Thankfully, our dad was home for most of my brother’s last season of playing baseball. He was a merchant seaman and was never home during the years we played Minor League baseball. I would’ve given anything for my dad to be at just one of my games. I was an extremely mediocre player(as I’ve mentioned before) but I never really cared because I loved baseball so much(and still do…for the most part).
I am so grateful for your clean bill of health and sad that you have lost some dear friends and for losing your father and I feel so honored that you continue sharing these memories with us either happy or sad my dear friend and I wish you all the best in life 🙏
I became a StL Cardinals Fan by marriage almost 55 years ago, so by now I’m a diehard Redbird. We have a Family Brick at Busch Stadium engraved with the names of 3 generations…Grampa, Dad, and Grandsons.
Many priceless memories of games from T-Ball, Little League, Travel Teams, and High School…and countless roadtrips to St. Louis, hoping to hear ‘That’s A Winner!” from Jack Buck.
You’re the best Sean. I too love baseball and I’m nearing the winter of my life. Greatest non-job I ever had was the 2013 Braves season. I was an usher at Turner Field before they escaped to Cobb County. 😳❤️
Seaner - sure hope you get a minute to read these random thoughts you provoked on this glorious Easter Saturday…me and my best bud Woody (ages 9 on) played hot box, burn out and catch for hours upon hours; later years we sat with his daddy Vin watching the Bravos (only got 3 channels plus 2 UHF and in FL the Braves came in WTOG/44) sipping on Ovaltine and occasionally swallowing a pop-top stuffed inside; Ralph Garr & Rusty Staub; Umpires used to “borrow” my Levi or Redman as I sat behind the plate in my early early teens. I didn’t mind as my coach was the one who bought it for me: finest minor league park ever was on the water in St. Pete - Al Lang Field. Saw Glavine & the boys there; saw Cecil hit one dang close to 500 off the roof of the Bayfront Center; rode bikes there at 12 with Woody and got autographs from a few Redbirds’ (who occupied the site for decades) legend…Lou & Bob
Wow, what a visual….my husband recalls listening to ball games on the little radio out in the sun porch with his grandpa. Grandpa smoked a pipe…70 years later he still recalls the smell and how special it was to have base ball time with grandpa. We never forget the best times…and memories are all we really get to take with us as we age. Stuff is stuff…memories are priceless.
Sean, you and baseball! When I happen to hear what the Braves are dong, I think only of you. I generally don't keep up with any sport. It's just not my thing. I never was an athlete. In school, I was nearly always the last person picked for a team. The only sport I ever took up was tennis and I played that for years, until the time my raquet flew out of my hand when I was swinging to hit the ball. My arthritic hands could no longer hang onto a raquet. I was sad for a while, but my game had been going downhill, so I knew it was time to stop. My only "sport" now is walking a couple of miles almost every day, except when it's raining hard. I'm happy that you have baseball as your connection to your father. He probably watches you watching the games. I'm sure he's also happy that you are taking care of Becca. He's proud of you and all your accomplishments along with your compassion for humanity!
Keep walking…..
And they won the game today. The Braves. Opening Day. You are home with Rebecca and Jamie. What could be better? And I'm still wearing a ring I bought for myself on my birthday in October when my husband went to the World Series in Atlanta without me. And I still smile
You have a World Series ring….wow!
Sean, great news that your scans were clear!!!!!! And you were at one of your favorite places to partake of two joyful events. Good health and baseball (and a beer to top it off)
Baseball was the only thing my mother, my daughter and I could enjoy together. Both of them were extremely athletic, but apparently it skips generations in our family. Although I never played, I raised a daughter who was a superstar softball player and she loved to watch major league ball from the age of five. The Texas Rangers got a new stadium that year, and her daddy‘s boss had front row seats on the first baseline. She got to attend the very first game ever played there, while I watched the game on TV. When she got home I asked her what the new ballpark was like, and she said “Mama, it’s just like a church, except for baseball.“ I thought of those words every time I walked through the gates of our beloved former stadium. I will always be sad that my mama passed away last fall, just days before the Rangers finally won a World Series. It felt weird to watch our opening game yesterday without her, but I know she was cheering when we pulled out that 10th inning win. In spite of everything that’s wrong with the game today, there is so much about baseball that is right. Here’s to a great season!
Love your story…..baseball has a wonderful way to connect families….it is extremely sad when part of our cheering section leaves us.
What a glorious day and 30th birthday for Matt Olson--three doubles! Baseball, too, is my touchstone. My mother passed away on my 38th birthday (20 years ago this month). She kept score for my softball games growing up, and we kept scorebooks during stressful games when Glavine, Maddux (my oldest grandson is named after him), and Smoltz were on the mound. They are my time capsules. Thank you for sharing your memories.
Our time capsules too!
Go Cubbies!
The TV in the house on with the volume turned off & the radio volume turned up full blast during the Chicago Cub games. This was so my stay-at-home mom could continue doing her house “chores” & when Jack Brickhouse or Harry Carey would cheer for a great play she would run from wherever she was to the TV & watch the replay. Her hero & favorite player- Ernie Banks of course. Mom and dad had tickets which were first row seats directly behind the Cubs dugout. At the first game she attended she continuously beat hard on the dugout roof yelling Ernie Ernie trying to get Mr. Banks to come out so she could speak to him. Well, it worked & she finally got her very own hard earned autograph & hug from the greatest! From then on, if mom was there she got her Ernie hug. For her 90 birthday & living in Florida at the time, her only request was to go back to Wrigley Field one more time. So in 2017 myself, my daughter, & my granddaughter ( 4 generations) made her dreams come true.
Let’s play ball⚾️
GREAT story!!!! Would love to see a picture of that eventful day! What a gift!
Tried to send a picture but returned undeliverable
Oh Pooey!
A perfect place to receive such relief and good news. Play ball!
My dad loved baseball. The Angels had spring training in our town fifty years ago. My dad caught a baseball with his bare hands, and gave it to my brother. I think he still has that ball. Next time I see him, I'll ask him.
I love this story and the tribute to opening day season. My father was this man. He loved baseball. In his last days as his memory of everything present tense was like a blender, his childhood was crystal clear. He told stories of playing baseball and coaching baseball on repeat. I recorded some and love to hear his voice on repeat some days. Also in the last days I played the Marlins World Series games and he watched as if it was the first time he had seen them. They brought him joy. As his lost his ability to speak, he held onto a baseball and it stayed through his last breath. In those last breaths we cheered him on, like he had our whole lives. The hospice nurse told him on her final visit had rounded third and all he had to do know was make it home. As the funeral home came to retrieve his body, we played the national anthem and stood side by side hands over chest like he had at so many baseball games. Batting practice pre-game was his favorite at Marlins games. Just like life, he made the most out of every catch, throw, hit he could. Thank you for this story and taking me down a teary, but beautiful memory lane.❤️
For love of baseball….life…..and love beyond measure! Very very dear…..
We didn’t have T-Ball when my brother and I were growing up. We had Minor League, Little League, and Babe Ruth. We both played Minor League for four seasons. I wasn’t good enough to move up to Little League but my brother played two more seasons in Little League. Thankfully, our dad was home for most of my brother’s last season of playing baseball. He was a merchant seaman and was never home during the years we played Minor League baseball. I would’ve given anything for my dad to be at just one of my games. I was an extremely mediocre player(as I’ve mentioned before) but I never really cared because I loved baseball so much(and still do…for the most part).
America’s favorite pastime for sure! Listening to a game on the radio might have been better because it allowed your imagination to kick in!
I am so grateful for your clean bill of health and sad that you have lost some dear friends and for losing your father and I feel so honored that you continue sharing these memories with us either happy or sad my dear friend and I wish you all the best in life 🙏
I became a StL Cardinals Fan by marriage almost 55 years ago, so by now I’m a diehard Redbird. We have a Family Brick at Busch Stadium engraved with the names of 3 generations…Grampa, Dad, and Grandsons.
Many priceless memories of games from T-Ball, Little League, Travel Teams, and High School…and countless roadtrips to St. Louis, hoping to hear ‘That’s A Winner!” from Jack Buck.
You’re the best Sean. I too love baseball and I’m nearing the winter of my life. Greatest non-job I ever had was the 2013 Braves season. I was an usher at Turner Field before they escaped to Cobb County. 😳❤️
Seaner - sure hope you get a minute to read these random thoughts you provoked on this glorious Easter Saturday…me and my best bud Woody (ages 9 on) played hot box, burn out and catch for hours upon hours; later years we sat with his daddy Vin watching the Bravos (only got 3 channels plus 2 UHF and in FL the Braves came in WTOG/44) sipping on Ovaltine and occasionally swallowing a pop-top stuffed inside; Ralph Garr & Rusty Staub; Umpires used to “borrow” my Levi or Redman as I sat behind the plate in my early early teens. I didn’t mind as my coach was the one who bought it for me: finest minor league park ever was on the water in St. Pete - Al Lang Field. Saw Glavine & the boys there; saw Cecil hit one dang close to 500 off the roof of the Bayfront Center; rode bikes there at 12 with Woody and got autographs from a few Redbirds’ (who occupied the site for decades) legend…Lou & Bob