Cognitio

Susan/Circle:
Hello, Joe Borowski? Yeah, I've got Marie Callendar on the line, she wants your recipe for meatballs.

 

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Mike:
Is Manny off to smokin' staht or what? .309 and 14 RBI thru 14!

 

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Susan/Circle:
As Red says, "When Manny steps to the plate, all good things are suddenly possible."

 

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Mike:
And you know Manny, in his own words he "just likes to come and play the game and go home."

 

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Susan/Circle:
And all I've evah wanted to do is go to the pahk, watch him play the game and go home.

 

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Mike:
Really, life doesn't need to be any more complex or profound than that.

 

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Susan/Circle:
I watch Manny, therefore, I am.

 

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Comments

[[email protected] ticketguygetsit]

Sublimity, thy name is MR24

lc

[[email protected] Berocca.com]

Great game last night. Some great hitting. It feels very strange to be excited to see JD Drew come up to the plate.

And what was Ortiz? 2 for 5? I'll take that. It won't be long before Hanky's burying the #34 jersey again...

[Bob]

At Pete's last night, a bunch of North Carolina tourists walked toward the end of the game. One of them said, "That Mannnnnn-yyyy Ram-er-ez is one weird duuude."

I said, "maybe, but we love him. Just watch his next at bat."

I think they understand now.

[RonF]

Ladies and gentlemen, while I laud the heroics of last evening, I must tell you that Red Sox Nation is a man down these days.

Dad died the day after Easter. He was 83. As my brothers and I got Mom squared away and went through his belongings, we had to figure out who would get the Red Sox memorabilia. I got the '70's Red Sox pennant that had been up on the wall and the "A-Rod Slaps Balls" T-shirt (faded from wear) that I gave him.

Dad took me to my first game at Fenway when I was 10. It was 1963 and the Red Sox were NOT a good team, so there were about 8,000 people in the park. We sat in the right field bleachers - this was back in the day when they really were bleachers, wooden planks with numbers stenciled on them every 16". Dad and my uncle and I took our seats. They were probably drinking Schaefer beer, I had a Coke. The Washington Senators were in town. At some point mid-game, after a few rounds of Schaefers, Frank Howard was near our seats. Either Dad or my Uncle suggested that I yell out "Every time your wife runs around on you, you lose a hair!"

Now, some explanation is required. Frank was at that point just about the biggest guy in baseball. He was also bald. Also remember that this was 1963, when 10-year old kids didn't yell stuff like that; adults rarely did. Then there's the fact that in those days, 10-year olds had no idea what the hell that meant. Finally, remember that the park was almost empty. The end result was that a) Frank heard me, and being astounded at hearing such a comment yelled by a 10-year old voice, b) he turned around.

Dad and Uncle Al just about pissed their pants from laughing. Cotton candy, popcorn, they bought me anything I wanted after that. And I became a Red Sox fan.

I watched many a game with Dad, usually on the TV. We yelled at the screen, lived and died in 1967 and 1975 and 1986. I have a picture somewhere of him sitting in his chair with the oxygen tube in his nose with the "A-Rod Slaps Balls" T-shirt. And we exulted on that glorious evening in 2004, and laughed last year.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, three sons (I'm the youngest), 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He leaves behind my love for the Red Sox and my gratefulness for the best father a man could have.

[Bob]

My condolences, Ron.

But after reading about your dad, I don't think Red Sox Nation is a man down.

It's a man up.

[[email protected] thisbit]

Ron, thanks for sharing that. It's what RSN is really all about. Not pink hatz and 7.75 beerz.

I swear I was at the same game, but I'm sure my mind is playing tricks on me.

Best to your family

lc

[h.b.]

"Either Dad or my Uncle suggested that I yell out 'Every time your wife runs around on you, you lose a hair!'"

True Soxaholix those two!

Sorry for your loss, RonF. But happy you've got such fantastic memories to carry you through.

[yazbread]

The Sox stole a game last night from the loss column. Manny had a great night but lost in all the cheers is a man named Batshit.

[COD]

Thanks for sharing Ron. I concur with HB, your Dad may have never seen this site but he was truly a Soxaholix.

[vancouversoxfan]

Wonderful story, RonF. It says it all about baseball and the effect it has on true fans. May he rest in peace.

[vasoxfan]

RonF,
Thanks for sharing that ad reminding me of my early days in the bleachers @ Fenway. Peace to your family.
As far as the game goes... yazbread called it. Batshit did us right. We have to come up with a new name for him when he plays like that. Youks first homer!! Papi 2 for 5. great hitting by dustin in slapping that ball right back @ Westbrook. Timlin 1-2-3. A great team effort.

[miketc]

Ron, my condolences. Great story, though.

Lou: sorry, but I don't understand that link. ??? "XX" ??

[sonomasox]

Ron - perfect tribute to a genuine soxaholix.
It's those kinds of people/stories I've tried to impress on the left coasters out here for the last 8 years in explaining our collective genetic make-up - most still don't get it. That's why they're A's and Giants fans.

All the best to your family, Ron. And I'd love to see that picture of you dad w/ the arod shirt.

[joefreak]

Your story, RonF, had me weeping at my desk. My mom was the one who made me a Sox fan. When I was a toddler in the early 50's, she'd put me in the stroller many afternoons, and we'd go over to the apartment of a woman who was wheelchair bound, and visit her, often watching the Red Sox on her tiny black-and-white TV. On the day the Red Sox won the championship in 2004, I was back home and visited my mom's grave and we had a conversation about how the Red Sox would win that day. She never got to see a championship, but your dad was blessed enough to see two!

Around 1963, I used to go to Sunday doubleheaders, sitting in the bleachers (tickets for $1.00!!!). One Sunday (maybe in 1963) I watched the Sox split a double with the Senators. First game, Sox won 11-10, second game lost 5-4 in 10 innings, and it didn't finish until 10PM. Temp at game time was about 100 degrees, and I sat in the bleachers without my shirt and probably came closer to heat stroke than I'd like to think about. Bob Tillman caught both games for the Sox and lost 25 pounds in the process.

My great heckling story is this: when David Justice was playing for the A's, I got the chance to sit in the seats right behind home plate at the Oakland Coliseum. Justice struck out twice with men on base in a game the A's lost 3-1 to Detroit. After the second K, I shouted, "Halle was right!" Mr. J heard me and glared while I tried to hide behind my beer glass.

Joe

[[email protected]]

"Bob Tillman caught both games for the Sox and lost 25 pounds in the process"

Probably down to 240 by the end

lc

[Steve in MD]

Ron, sorry for your loss.

Good story in today's SF Chronicle about the mfy digging up the shirt. Best line: "Now, Boston toasts Buckner, cheering as he throws the first pitch at Fenway's opener. Boston laughs at curses. The Yankees see the hint of one and call the district attorney."

Here's the link: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/14/SP3T1057C1.DTL

[vermonter]

That's one of the best things about baseball, RonF, Dad's with their sons. There is something real special about sharing baseball with Dad. Lifetime of memories.

Sorry for your loss.

//But after reading about your dad, I don't think Red Sox Nation is a man down.

It's a man up.//

Nice.

[vermonter]

Go Bruins!!!!!!!!

[meredith]

RonF, my condolences. I lost my dad almost exactly a year ago, so I know all too well what you're dealing with. I loved your story.

My dad's passion was the Patriots, not the Sox (that, my mom and I share), but we bonded about the Pats on a similar level. (I like to think he had something to do with their amazing run this year; he was only foiled by my former housemate's grandfather, a Giants season ticket holder for decades who held a rather high position in the Knights of Columbus and thus probably gained somewhat of an upper hand with the big guy at the very end. :)

[Natalie]

My condolences, Ron. Thank you for sharing your story. It made me a little teary, I confess.

I read this site every single day and each time think fondly of my beloved father, who passed suddenly at age 55 in Oct 2002. The one year anniversary of his death was the Aaron Boone game in '03. Didn't turn out the way we wanted, but the game ended after midnight, so my mom, brother and I like to think he pulled strings to at least get us through to Oct 17th with something other than our loss to focus on. He would have utterly adored this site, hb. Thanks again for all you do.

Okay, not going to cry at work. :) I am heading to the game on Friday. Anyone else?

[vermonter]

...and daughters.

[Devine]

Great story, Ron. So sorry for your loss, I know what losing a parent is like.

[Nan RedStripe]

Thanks for the story, Ron. My own dad passed away in November 2004, he did finally get to see the Sox win the World Series.
My own oh-so-dear memories of going to Fenway with my dad include the popcorn they used to sell in a paper megaphone, so once you finished eating, you could yell REALLY loud.
For years, I was always able to get a chuckle out of my dad by saying, "you know who I miss? Eddie Bressoud!" Still works on my mom, too!

[Larry Here]

Yeah RonF. I'm with those who are moist eyed. My Dad, still alive, is and never was a Sox fan. Somehow my older sisters became baseball fans, though, and one of our favorite family stories is the time Dad took us all to Fenway (I'm thinking '65 or so) and the game went into extra innings, but it was late so we had to leave. As we approached our car we all heard the cheers as someone launched a game winner. We were angry kids in the car heading back to Newton. Though he is a great guy, now almost 81, my dad hates sports. Ah well. My condolences.

[Bob]

Totally off any topic, but the NFL schedule was released.

I it just me, or does it seem like the Patriots have to play in Indy every single year?

[Isaac]

Sorry for your loss, Ron. But it sounds like he left a great Red Sox fan behind, and I presume your brothers are as well. A good father leaving a good son is the most a man - or a Red Sox fan - can ever hope for.

[[email protected] relentless.com]

Good'on'ya, RonF, for sharing those lovely memories with some mad people who appreciate it. The best thing is, you'll always have those memories and they will always make you smile.

[plum]

I am sorry for your loss, RonF. Thanks for that story, though.

[RationalSoxFan]

RonF,

Very touching tribute (and funny). My Grandparents brought me and my cousin to our first game around 1974 against the Yankees. We drove from west of Worcester to Boston on the Mass Pike with my cousin and I sitting in the back of the pickup just sitting on the bed - seats, nevermind seatbelts! Can't do that anymore.

My Grandfather passed away, but my Grandmother is still hanging on. I bought a nice new Red Sox hat - the old style, and brought it to my Granfather's funeral. It was a formal event and I got a few funny looks when I placed the hat in the coffin beside my Grandfather - but I knew he would want to have it with him.

[[email protected] relentless.com]

Bob will appreciate this. When my Dad had a beer or six (most days) he would look up with a serious expression and say 'I don't know how they brew it so cheap!'.

[sonomasox]

re: Pats schedule

Any west coast trips planned?

I'm in for the 49er game - potentially the Raider game (safety in numbers) & borderline Seattle or SD game. How's that for committment.

[soxdownunder]

Okajima San:
Strike out, strike out, Jacoby
Lovely little save.

{It's STILL not tribe time [R),lc]}

[[email protected]]

Hi, Lou.