| The Baseball Gods smiled again from above as the SOUTH FLORIDA BASEBALL LEAGUE began playing again after numerous weather cancellations. Most of the teams including the SOUTHERN YANKEES hadn't played in over a month after being checked out by the wacky weather and untimely rainfall. You know what it's like to be away from what you love to do and where you like to do it. Recently the record biblical rainfall hit NY along with the tragedy of the Maui fires which we alluded to before along with other notables who have crossed over to the other side at much to young an age. Remember Kobe Bryant and other athletes whos lives were cut short. They unfortunately checked out but the memory of what they brought to the table and their altruistic qualities certainly resonate with many.
It was still shocking to all of us to have heard of that tragic Kobe helicopter crash a few years ago. It is also a reminder that we have preached here for many years & numerous color commentaries: and recently a few weeks ago in this column. That is -that life is precious and can change at any moment- sometimes bad and often good. Unfortunately these tragedies and many others will be dissected over and over as to how and why. I remember when Thurman Munson died in his airplane when it crashed in Ohio years ago. I had covered the Yankees for a USA Network TV station in Connecticut. I spent a couple of seasons interacting with these players when Reggie, Sweet Lou, Thurman ,Gator & Billy Martin were with the team. When Munson died almost the same way as Kobe- crashing after takeoff-I was devastated and decided to do something about it. Always a lover of sports art and memorabilia I commissioned a local portrait painter to do two head shot paintings from a picture I had taken of Thurman looking up towards the sky when I would often park myself in the 3rd base working photographers well taking photos. I paid a bit more to get the paintings done right away and proceeded to deliver one to NY Yankees owner at the time George Steinbrenner. He thanked me for the beautiful life like painting and said that it was hung up in his office at Yankee Stadium. I was thrilled, honored and flattered. But more importantly I felt that I had done something good & thoughtful in return to somehow cushion the devastating loss everyone felt. The other painting I still have in my office and any one who sees it comments how he is almost looking up to Heaven. Well if you are wondering why we are using Hotel California here is the answer but I am quite sure you already know. That song has a lot of symbolism much like this writer conveys EVERY WEEK and you may or may not realize or understand at first until you read it twice. But the line you can check out any time you like but you can never leave applies here- especially to the past news of KOBE ,along with the Maui fires and recent Mid East attacks. But my real dedication in this edition of the color commentary besides all those previously mentioned is related to the passing of my late great Uncle Henry Louis. He passed away this past Sunday night a month away from his 92nd birthday. Uncle Henry was unique and special- he was an all-state basketball player standing 6'9 tall and later long tenured & veteran basketball referee who coach's and players alike respected. But 'OMOO 'as he was affectionately called was most notably an avid Yankee baseball fan who took us to many NEW YORK YANKEES games when we were kids with crew cuts. Henry Louis Gehrig ring a bell? He reportedly was named after the Yankees slugger. My Uncle introduced me to my love for baseball and we must have went to the Stadium a dozen times by age 13. One of the most memorable games he took Henry Jr. and my brother & I to was Mickey Mantle day on June 6TH 1969. We were young kids and got to see Joe DiMaggio introduce Mantle along with then Senator Robert Kennedy to the 50,000 screaming fans who packed the history filled old Yankee Stadium. It was a time none of us ever forgot and if it wasn't for Uncle Henry scoring those ducat tickets we wouldn't have been part of history. Thank God I made an instinctive spontaneous trip to Connecticut 10 days ago and I visited my Uncle in the nursing home. He was alert and happy and we reminiced about that special baseball game he took us all to. He mentioned how much he appreciated my American Lifestyle magazines that I had been sending him over the years. He told me how much he enjoyed my writing and that it was real good content. That was the ultimate compliment as I knew he was in the 9th inning of his life. I told him to 'say hello to my father when you see him' and he smiled and said he would. I just knew in my heart he would be seeing him soon when I left the room . But I was so happy that we connected one last time before he crossed over to the other side. His son Henry 'Omoo' jr. is and has been another brother to me and his Dad's legend will live on. So what is the point of all this with this bad news and that bad news along with the horrific tragedies and brutal attacks in the Mid East this weekend ? If you have been reading this column over the years you know what my message has been about how fleeting life is and to enjoy and embrace what you have because it can all change in the blink of an eye. Let me explain- You may have been with someone who touched you in a meaningful way, traveled somewhere you really enjoyed, eaten at a certain Italian restaurant like STALLONES or Giannis where the food is always fabulous & the pasta is always AL DENTE . Perhaps you had off the charts crispy delish pizza like the pies @ Pizzeria Sophia. Or the consistent flavor-full steaks at NY Prime where I have been carving them up for years. Perhaps you visited a far away place that you long for now. But you are not at any of these places or with this or that person at this moment. But the MEMORY of that experience, that laughter, that zest- passion, that fun, AND that excitement is something you will never forget and often reminisce about until you POSSIBLY experience it all again. If you are lucky that is. In this weeks color commentary we obviously can't or don't want to be funny . I looked & thought long and hard to find the appropriate song for you the reader with the attention grabber that ties this all in. No catchy songs this week but the lyrics from the song ' Wake me up when its all over' certainly was playing over and over in my head of course since I'm wiser and I'm older! . So remember what we always tell you here- Don't EVER think for a second that you don't have what it takes on or off the field. Life is short and you want any regrets down the road because you didn't have the baseBALLS to get in the batters box and take your cuts in whatever the situation dictated be it business, sports ,relationships or just plain going for it. Remember you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.- GRETZKY. With all thats going on and all that the powers that be are throwing at you - you'd better do whatever it is that pleases you real soon & right now BEFORE THE OPPORTUNITY IS LOST again repeating- before the opportunity is lost! .Get rid of those toxic misinformed sheeple in your life and smile again because bad times are usually followed by good times. Well BTW getting to the game; the Southern Yankees took advantage of a shorthanded Boca Mets squad and cruised to a 28-4 lopsided win. Eric Judd pitched brilliantly again off his last outing . Melvyn Martinez closed it out as both pitchers needed work after the lengthy schedule delay in the SFBL. The Southern Yankees were led by Ken Silberling, Sam Bartoletta & Eric Judd who stroked an amazing 5 hits apiece. The beat went on thru the lineup as Reidy Oliva & Steve Sandman clubbed 4 hits each to lead the onslaught. It was an offensive day for the record books as the team enjoyed the in-dugout and on the field camaraderie that we all had missed for the past month. The Boca Mets were led by Sam Nelson & Ed Bartoszewski who smacked 3 hits each for their team. Enough said- just remember what this commentaries message is and get off your big butt and go for it. Like the GOOD TIMES song that we all long for says 'don't be a drag- participate.' That way you will have no regrets down the road on what could have or might have been. We all have been blessed with God given talents and unique qualities so use them to your advantage. Enough said- you didn't think this was going to be short cc after not writing for a month did you? Sorry I was all over the place in this edition but you all get the symbolism and message I'm sure. In closing- Thank you for your time this time until next time- and ALWAYS- REMEMBER TO STAY THIRSTY MY FRIENDS!- SUBMITTED BY Ray Asmar Player/Manager SOUTHERN YANKEES |
