| Many of you recall from your history lessons stories about Al Capone and George 'Bugsy' Moran. This was and relates to the notorious St Valentines Day Massacre. It occurred on Feb 14th 1929 on Chicago's North side. The rubout resulted from a gang turf war between Moran & Capone and the struggle for organized crime during the prohibition period. Prostitution, cigarettes, gambling liquor and numbers were the easy way to make money during that period as the country was effectively locked down and looking for some amusement to get by. The assailants were dressed in fake police officer uniforms and you know the rest. The firing squad shootings which were meant to send a message to the other side. Well the Southern Yankees used their bats to massacre the crosstown rival Mets 12-2 on this past Valentines Day. Sorry cant use the music metaphor every week as much as everyone likes the tie in but this weeks color is is history lesson in case they take the books away if you know what I mean. Funny as I had the fantastic and memorable privilege to hear and witness the most famous renowned opera tenor ever the night before the game. Andrea Bocelli was in concert & sang many notable songs in his first live performance in the United States in over a year. His 8 year old daughter Virginia was and is a future star & joined him on stage for a couple tunes in her US debut. To say it was spectacular was an understatement to the 1000 spectators in the socially distanced 7500 seat beautiful venue. The reason I am bringing this up is Bocelli got called out for for an encore and sang my all time favorite SONG- Con Te Partiro or Time to Say Goodbye. That also ties in to a previous color commentary written right here when you know you are not coming back to wherever you may be and say 'Take a good look' which also means time to say goodbye in my lingo. Many of you know that already if you have been reading this column over the years. For full effect play the Andrea Bocelli/Sarah Brightman duet rendition on YouTube in another window while you are reading this and crank it up. Bet you play it a few times as its that intense. Seriously now getting back to how this all ties in to the story ,the game and in life..... now hear this. I had lost a very close friend , buddy, client & brother from another mother as I always told him. This heartbreak occurred a few days earlier at the very young age of 54. We drank, ate, confided, hung out, laughed a lot & cruised on ships together. He has a beautiful family. To sum it up we generally really loved each others company when it was possible for us to get together. Unfortunately he passed a couple days before the game and all I could think about when Andrea Bocelli was singing 'Time To Say Goodbye' was him. YOU all have experienced this before with a loved one or someone close to you and you wonder why the narcissist who only thinks of himself not others or the thief in the purple ferrari who wasn't benevolent and helping others is still walking around. We are not like that and never will be and either are you the reader. Rest in peace Frankie my boy and know that I will continue as you requested to look after your family. THE SONG TIME TO SAY GOODBYE CAME INTO PLAY in everything I alluded to earlier in this color commentary but also in this past Valentines Day Sunday as the Yankees made quick work of the crosstown but classy Mets and sent them bye bye. ERIC JUDD led the SOUTHERN YANKEES attack with 3 hits. He also was smooth as silk at shortstop making all the plays and displaying his own GUN to first base on plays in the hole. Everyone in the shorthanded Southern Yankees lineup contributed with at least one HIT if you get the tie in and Bobby Stallone was flawless once again on the mound. Stallone gave up one earned run and been unbelievable pitching over the past year. He is the key to the Yankees new season and gets better with more work. So in recapping- The Yankees broke the game open in the second inning as Sam Bartoletta delivered a booming double . The lineup kept moving .Then Player/Manager Ray Asmar also got into the act and crushed, smoked and annihilated a dead red 0-2 fastball down the third base line. Boy did that feel great! This was to the delight of his animated teammates in the dugout who had ribbed him on the previous pitches before. - That hit was for my late, great, beLOVED ITALIAN friend Frankie. Remember what we always tell you. -That one of the greatest pleasures in life is DOING what other say you CANNOT do !!!. So get in the batters box of life and take your cuts. You all have what it takes to thrive and excel you just have to pick yourself back up and make your move. 'Make that move right now baby' was a great pop classic song but we have to stick with the theme! Steve Sandman also clouted a long double later in the game and has found his stroke. We now move on to the second game of our new season with a contest against the expansion but tough Lauderdale Padres. Game time is 2 pm on Sunday Feb 21st at the Coral GLADES SPORTSPLEX IN CORAL SPRINGS. We look for the return of many of our own MIA players as they return doing what they love after this unsettling time the past year. Hope you enjoyed this weeks color commentary as your comments and feedback are always appreciated especially since this one was really personal. In closing- THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS TIME UNTIL NEXT AND once again with this new season we continue the tradition of telling you to always remember to - STAY THIRSTY MY FRIENDS! |
