A BASEBALL MEMOIR: Life and Togetherness

Late September in the Bronx 2014… 48,613 fans on hand…and we were two of them. Of the thousands of fans, players, coaches and workers in the stadium that night there was one very clear focus of my heart and attention. No, actually Derek Jeter came in a close second that night, and those amazing dripping cheese fries were a tight third. My heart though was captured by the darling Yankee fan that sat right beside me — my amazing daughter Amiee. It wasn’t just that we experienced Jeter’s historic last home game as a New York Yankee, it was that we shared it together — memories we will always keep tucked in our heart’s pocket and be able to share with her own kids someday.

Most of the highlights of my adult life and the lessons I have carried in the journey from boy to man, from teenager to grandpa, are reflected in this “game” we call baseball. For in it, dreams are made, courage is tested, friendship bonds are nurtured — honor is earned not given, and when its earned it is acclaimed to the highest degree.

Not the game itself, but the forum of baseball has allowed me to see and experience things with my dearest friends and family that I would never have seen, and to be repeatedly reminded of what’s really important in life: character, relationships, and the value of living with intention.

Our trip to New York City that year was amazing as always. Hours before game-time, we stood in awe at the 09/11 Memorial, chatted with the NYC Firefighters at Ladder Co. 10 across the street, and shared the…