My Favorite Yankee Prospect
It takes time to really know someone
This past October, I finally found out (via Facebook) that my dad had a chance to attend a tryout for the New York Yankees. I knew he was a good athlete since he always pushed me to play sports throughout my childhood. He talked long and passionate about the old days and how good the ballplayers were from his small hometown of St. Johnsville, New York. My dad graduated from High School and was playing football at Hartwick College in the fall of 1941. As you can expect, his dreams of playing baseball were cut short by the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was actually hitchhiking back to college that Sunday morning in early December.
He quickly joined the US Marine Corps and had the honor of serving 4 years in World War II in the Pacific theater as an aviation mechanic.
My dad passed away last night in peace. He lived a long and wonderful life for 95 years.
Just like my favorite movie, “Field of Dreams”, I would love to have a “catch” with my dad again. He would always use his 1940’s glove and put his handkerchief inside to give him extra padding to catch my fastball!
I am so fortunate to have had a parent live to be 95 years old. My mom was taken early (at 43 years old), so the ability to have my wife and children spend many good times with my father is a true blessing.
I will cherish all the special moments and memories:
My dad attended my wife’s father’s retirement from the US Marine Corps in 1995 and spent time with the Commandant of the Marine Corps. This was pretty special for a man who was a staff sergeant in Marine Corps in World War II.
A road trip (in 1995) driving to New York City and then upstate in 1995 to visit his hometown of St. Johnsville and meet all the great people. My wife had the chance to learn about all the small towns in upstate and even the major highways and roads (my dad worked for the NY Department of Transportation so spent many years building the various highways)!
His 80th birthday party in 2000 at the Manor in Little Falls, NY, and the chance for friends and family to get together. Many of those people are not with us today.
Trips to Disney World in Orlando during my daughter’s days as a Pop Warner cheerleader. Every trip was a chance to see my Dad. Fond memories of the Loews Portofino Hotel and playing bocce ball.
Through the year 2003 (@ 83), my Dad would make trips to California and visit his nephew and family, while enjoying helping us get settled in our home.
I spoke on the phone with my dad on a regular basis, The conversations were mostly about the Yankees, Mets, Navy Football, or a recent friend or relative that had passed. I have to admire my dad as he even had a Facebook account. It was setup up by a wonderful nurse that took care of my dad for several years. He even figured out how to “like” a photo. This allowed him to see several photos of my children and events of old friends or pictures of his hometown.
A few other memories that I will always hold dear to my heart and mind:
Patriotism and Humility- my dad’s experience of being a son of immigrant parents from Italy, growing up in the depression, and giving up college for war. These two traits were ingrained in me throughout my childhood.
Fundamentals- most of my neighborhood friends and I grew up with and played countless hours of driveway basketball, backyard football, shoe polish hockey, or even ping pong baseball will attest that my dad drove us nuts pushing fundamentals. We always were lectured about chest passes, give and go, and being quicker than your opponent. His nickname became “Grump” during my junior high and high school days.
Road trips- especially the ones to New York City for baseball. My dad was the best for taking my friends and me to a baseball game at Yankee Stadium or Shea Stadium. The 4- hour trip each way made for a wonderful day excursion during our Little League years. Lets go Mets.
Ice Cream- Kream Treat and upstate NY summers- countless hours hanging out at the local ice cream drive-in. We would all get a 1/2 pint of soft ice cream and wait for over an hour while my dad would talk to the owner Henry.
Unconditional Love- My dad loved his dog and when it died a few years ago, it took him two days to go out and buy a second dog. Same breed and same name (Pico 1 and Pico 2). Everyone should have a dog (for unconditional love). It will make you live a long and good life.
Be a handyman- My dad could build anything (I did not inherit any of these genes). We were the only house on the street with a “cement driveway with curbing”, two built-in fireplaces, refurbished pool, backyard, front porch, and renovated basement (which was great for high school parties and disco balls).
Since my mom passed away in 1978, my dad was fortunate to remarry and have a second long and wonderful marriage. Two families were fortunate to receive his warmth and humility. This taught me to not be alone in life and enjoy as much time with friends and family.
This week is special with the anniversary of Pearl Harbor and Army-Navy. My dad is from the greatest generation that considered this rivalry game bigger than the Super Bowl or any other college game. One of my regrets is that I never did attend an Army-Navy game with my dad. This year’s game will mean a bit more. Go Navy. Beat Army. Also, throw in some Frank Sinatra music (his favorite singer).
