There are three people that I trace my love of baseball back to.
The first would be my father who taught me the mechanics of the game. How to generate power in your hips, how to stay down on a ground ball, keeping your shoulder in there, use two hands……
My Dad bought me my first glove and would have catches with me after working a full day and being dog tired. I learned how to throw a knuckleball because of him. He coached my Farm League team and never missed a Little League game.
The second would be my Little League coach Creighton Knowles. He really refined my mechanics and taught me about the philosophy of the game. Creighton made me a pitcher and helped me develop a curve. He would also teach me about “good outs” and fouling bad strikes off. He brought a whole new dimension to the game.
The third was Harry Kalas. Kalas was the voice of the Phillies for me. He really showed me how to be passionate about the game. He made it OK for a grown man to cry when your team wins the World Series. I would curse FOX and ESPN broadcasts because I would have to find a way to get some AM reception so I could hear Harry. Based on some rough calculations I would say there are only about 4 people whose voices I’ve heard more than Harry’s. Some people may think its silly that I am so upset about a man I never met but he played such a powerful part of my life that I don’t think I can ever forget Harry the K.
I still feel numb about yesterday. I’m sure this feeling will fade but for now it almost feels like a part of my childhood has been taken from me. I don’t think I’ll ever enjoy listening to a Phillies game as much as I did before yesterday. I feel that I’ve lost a good friend who will always be missed.
The first would be my father who taught me the mechanics of the game. How to generate power in your hips, how to stay down on a ground ball, keeping your shoulder in there, use two hands……
My Dad bought me my first glove and would have catches with me after working a full day and being dog tired. I learned how to throw a knuckleball because of him. He coached my Farm League team and never missed a Little League game.
The second would be my Little League coach Creighton Knowles. He really refined my mechanics and taught me about the philosophy of the game. Creighton made me a pitcher and helped me develop a curve. He would also teach me about “good outs” and fouling bad strikes off. He brought a whole new dimension to the game.
The third was Harry Kalas. Kalas was the voice of the Phillies for me. He really showed me how to be passionate about the game. He made it OK for a grown man to cry when your team wins the World Series. I would curse FOX and ESPN broadcasts because I would have to find a way to get some AM reception so I could hear Harry. Based on some rough calculations I would say there are only about 4 people whose voices I’ve heard more than Harry’s. Some people may think its silly that I am so upset about a man I never met but he played such a powerful part of my life that I don’t think I can ever forget Harry the K.
I still feel numb about yesterday. I’m sure this feeling will fade but for now it almost feels like a part of my childhood has been taken from me. I don’t think I’ll ever enjoy listening to a Phillies game as much as I did before yesterday. I feel that I’ve lost a good friend who will always be missed.
Next time you're found, with your chin on the groundThere's a lot to be learned, so look aroundJust what makes that little old antThink he'll move that rubber tree plantAnyone knows an ant, can'tMove a rubber tree plantBut he's got high hopes, he's got high hopesHe's got high apple pie, in the sky hopesSo any time you're gettin' low'stead of lettin' goJust remember that antOops there goes another rubber tree plantWhen troubles call, and your backs to the wallThere a lot to be learned, that wall could fallOnce there was a silly old ramThought he'd punch a hole in a damNo one could make that ram, scramHe kept buttin' that dam
So any time you're feelin' bad'stead of feelin sadJust remember that ramOops there goes a billion kilowatt dam
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