Boys of Summer Book - Entry #55

July 6, 2004 - BOB

Baltimore, MD

Camden Yards tonight. I get to see my Bella tomorrow. Some sweetness will most definitely wash over this group with the arrival of the ladies. It’s what dad needs and what I need. I need to call my Orioles contact -- make that 13 tickets. And I need to call Big Bri (a good friend from back in high school) and get square with the housing situation in Boston. It’s so cool we get two nights there. 

Highlights:

Enjoyed our pre game meal at Pickles Pub (right across the street from Camden Yards). Our company, the Shinholts as well as the Dunlops are fantastic. They bought dad an O’s hat and signed it -- very nice touch. They also got us a very nice room right next to the Baltimore Airport. 

I had my first (as far as I’m aware of) ugly technical camera gaffe tonight at the game -- I was interviewing a VERY entertaining beer vendor (his call for beer was outstanding) and didn’t have the mic turned on. Oh boy...he’s very nicely framed, though...

As for Camden itself, I wasn’t as blown away as I hoped. It’s a nice park, no doubt. I think it came along at a time when everyone still had the 70’s concrete rings or old cavernous pits for parks and so it sparked a lot of interest (the copycats are numerous). Now it’s...well, it’s still nice. But I didn’t feel the magic I was hoping for. Could have just been my expectations. 

Now the Toronto deal: we need to let people know what’s going on there. It’s amazing how quickly time runs. I just thought how we’d been on the road for over two weeks yesterday; on the one hand it feels like we just started, on the other it’s like we’ve been on the road forever! It’s Crrrrrrrrazy like that.

I know I’ve got tons of marketing stuff to do. Let people know, let people know, let people know. It’s hard to crack people’s “life-shell”. We’re all busy. We’ve all got “lots to do”. To break out of that and do something unique takes effort, more effort than a lot of us are willing to allow. That is what I’m up against.

The hole in the schedule with the Yanks game is Big-Big proof of that. It seems like we should have a big event going on there. Then again, in a city that is bigger and busier than many countries in the world, who am I fooling? What do we and a hill of beans matter?

As for the Jays, I guess I felt like, okay -- I met Greg Zaun and the Jays P.R. guy already down in Tampa Bay, so it should be all good (i.e.: donate some tickets, get it on, bang a gong, etc.). Was I not clear? Possible? Did I call the Parkinson group in Toronto? I think so. 

Random thought of the moment:

Bitterness and cynicism make the troubles, shortcomings and foolishness of others easy to see and criticize. 

That same power of (limited) sight is, itself, limited -- it gives one an uber focus on one thing and therefore every time it is seen, it is pointed out and the limited focus is validated -- and narrowed. The person becomes critique-savant.

Said more simply, we see what we want to see, not necessarily what "is".

Boys of Summer Book - Entry #54

July 6, 2004 - Bob

Baltimore, MD

We have a small crowd of supporters joining us for the Baltimore game tonight, but a very enthusiastic one. Camden has been a long-reputed favorite of many, so I'm really looking forward to seeing it. 

I'm also looking forward to being in a part of the country where we'll have less driving for a bit (whew!). We've been logging some serious miles, but for the next few days ('til the 10th) we'll be in the two hours and under range. NICE. 

We had a great time with Naiden and Barb last night. They came down to Atlanta for the game, then we all drove back and had a little cookout at their place. Talk about your gracious hosts! Barb actually folded our laundry for us-- WHOA! And she says she doesn't dig domestics... 

My interview with Naiden went extremely well -- despite (or maybe because of) that pimpish cigar he demanded be in the shot ("If I'm going to be a star, I have to look the part", he said). Does anyone smell cutting room floor? 

I've been to D.C. one other time in my life -- when I was about 8, I think. I do have some memories of that trip, but obviously a few things have changed since then. It has been fun to talk to dad about his military experience and contrast it with how he sees the world now. He served in the late 60’s as part of the ROTC program out of college. He was stationed in Fort Collins, Colorado when my sister was born. His entire battalion was sent to Viet Nam. My dad, as a tank commander, would have been right on the front line. For whatever reason, he didn’t have to go. 

We've had lots of long discussions about life and how (and why) things are done. 

In the A's bag, the boys seem to be hitting their stride again. They are a 2nd half team and here's to hoping Chavez and Hudson get healthy and Dotel becomes the hammer should be in the pen. 

July 6, 2004 - DAD

Baltimore, MD

I wake up at 6:30 a.m. and toss and turn until 7:15. I then get up and take a shower and do yoga with Bob. We pack up and are on the way to Washington D.C. by 10 a.m. I have only been to Washington once before in 1978 so there have been a "few" changes.

I notice the level of security – that is the biggest difference.  First there is a guard with a dog trained to find explosives. I made a wrong turn and ended up at the entrance to the Pentagon parking lot. Immediately there were two police cars with their drivers watching us closely. From time to time a Black Hawk helicopter would fly over. We spent three hours touring the various memorials and art exhibits and the perimeter of the White House. 

Then it was off to Baltimore and Camden Yards. We met with a group of 13 from the local National Parkinson Foundation at Pickles – a sports bar across the street from Camden Yard. We meet Jeff Shinholt and his family. Jeff is a Parkinsonian who is training to run a marathon in October. I also spend time with Becky Dunlop, an R.N. in Neuology at Johns Hopkins.  

The ballpark was great and the game was entertaining but the support from the people is what remains and resonates with me.  The local Parkinson Chapter donated a night’s lodging at the airport Marriott so we sleep in comfort. 

Boys of Summer book Entry #53

Park Number Six (of 30) at Turner Field

Atlanta 10, Boston 4
WP: M. Hampton (3-8)   LP: D. Lowe (6-8)

Side note: Oakland FINALLY gets over on the Giants, 9-6.

July 5, 2004 - Dad
Prince William Forest, VA

I woke up at 7 a.m. to a beautiful cool morning in Charlotte.  The day is off to a good start – all my laundry is washed and Barb has sorted and folded it for easy packing (thanks, Barb!). After a breakfast of pancakes and fruit on the deck, we pack up and say "thank you and good bye." Our trip today will be about 350 miles before side trips. 

We make a side trip to Durham to visit Duke University, Bob’s favorite college basketball team. As it turns out, this is the very day Coach K announces he will not accept the job as coach of the Lakers, so there’s a bit of media buzz. We also make a stop at Costco for lunch and gas. 

On the road again, the end of a three day holiday means heavy traffic and pockets of slow driving. We are unable to connect with a "friendly" in the area so we make camp at Prince William Forest State Park. Bob needs to go to Kinko’s to get online with his computer. We finally locate one in Alexandria – an hour-plus later we stop at Wendy’s for dinner then it’s back to the park for the night.

July 5, 2004 - Bob
Prince William Forest, VA

Barb and Naiden were the most kind and gracious hosts I could imagine. They are sweet, funny and very, very warm. It’s so wonderful connecting with old friends. There’s most definitely something special about that connection -- the depth of it -- the resonance of it.

The game was great yesterday.

Later...

This trip is an affirmation of life, love, faith and friendship. To reconnect with old friends, to make new ones, to experience and re-experience things is amazing. It’s a celebration of life and all the things that we’ve done and will do. It’s so important to let friends know you love them, so important to step out of our “easy lives” and reconnect to our authentic lives.

What do I mean by that? I mean asking what we are doing here on this planet. If at our core, what we want is to be happy -- then our focus on work and money is out of balance. Not that work and money can’t be part of being happy, but they are not the absolute facilitators of happiness. Happiness can and is achieved in so many other ways that don’t cost money or require work or achievement, but rather, ask us to let go and allow time -- not “make” time because we can’t do that. Allowing time for things like sitting around with loved ones is key. Just sitting and watching a sunset, a wave crash or maybe throwing a ball back and forth holds simple perfection.

Why are we here on this planet?

What for?

Perhaps...

Boys of Summer book Entry #52

July 4, 2004 - Dad
Charlotte, NC

Happy 4th of July! Today is our first day game at a park with no roof.  We arrive at Ted Turner Field after passing through the parking lot where the Fulton County Stadium had been. All that is left is a monument to Hank Aaron’s 755th home run. We meet Bob’s friends, Naiden and Barb, who had driven from Charlotte, North Carolina. We enjoyed a donated lunch at the Chop House -- a restaurant inside the ballpark just beyond center field.

When we order beer, we are told they cannot serve it until 12:30 which is only 15 minutes away so we say "that’s fine" and next they ask me for I.D. – great kindness!

It turns out they have to ask everyone regardless of what they look like. 

Before the game there are parachute jumpers from the armed forces and a very impressive low fly over by fighter jets. The Braves are hosting the Red Sox in what turns out to be a very exciting game. Boston got off to an early lead. In the fifth inning Atlanta scored 9 runs and ended up winning the game 10-4. In the bottom of the 8th, there was a sudden downpour that caused a 40 minute rain delay. The ground crew got a chance to show off their talents and had the field ready to go in short order. After the game we drove 3 to 4 hours to Charlotte to spend the night with Barb and Naiden. 

July 4th, 2004 - Bob
Charlotte, NC

Last night, I had my 2nd dream of my dad being attacked or somehow looking frail. The first, which happened earlier on this trip, involved some street thugs coming at him and me jumping on them and literally ripping one of their throat boxes out.

Last night it was a woman in a car who was backing out (while on the phone and breast-feeding her child -- help me Freud?) who almost ran over my dad. My dad, for some reason -- his frailty? -- was not able to get out of the way. She didn’t run him over, but I screamed at her to look out. She didn’t hardly acknowledge me, so I jumped on the side of her car and demanded she acknowledge me and that she almost ran over my dad. 

I was reflecting on some conversations I had with dad yesterday. We talked a lot about faith as it is a recurrent theme in what we’re doing.

What is faith? Does dad have faith? What is my faith? One of my frustrations with Dad growing up has been his not taking a stand. He doesn’t make a decision on lots of things, he just allows them to be what they are. But even as I say that, it doesn’t sound like a bad thing -- that sounds good. But there’s an indecisiveness sometimes, or an unwillingness to go forward with things that makes me feel like, “Dad, make a decision.” Not that he never does -- God, I’m trying not to be unfair about this. Every time I say something, part of me says, “No, actually, dad does do that.”

So what does that say about me? Am I unwilling to make decisions on things? I think I’m pretty decisive. Got us to this point, obviously with the huge help of many others. I don’t know. I’m tired. There are a lot of things running through my head right now.

I’m so happy for the things we’ve accomplished, So excited for the things we’ve got in front of us. I think I’m a little sad about not being able to express the goofy side of myself. I can do it, but it doesn’t always get validated on this trip.

So maybe part of what I’m seeing is that there is a falloff in some of Dad’s energy. And part of it is due to his Parkinson’s. A part of him is going away. When he’s there, when he’s rested, there’s the dad spark that I know and love and he’s a wonderful guy. And I love him no matter what. At the same time there’s a sadness when there’s a part of me that wants to play -- I guess it’s my little boy wants to play with dad and he just doesn’t have the energy to give me what I want. And that’s selfish on my part -- no doubt. I want my dad. I want to play with my dad. That’s what I want. It’s a more limited thing these days in terms of what he’s available to.

I get scared, too, sometimes that maybe I’m pushing too hard on this trip and, God I want to be sure that Dad’s okay -- that I’m not doing anything to further the process or the pain. You know I find myself sometimes following my dad and putting an arm out as he’s walking because I’m afraid he’s going to stumble or fall. And that’s such a weird feeling because Dad in my mind, the mythic, the hero dad, that he has always been is a guy who’s so strong and so vital and active and a go-getter. To see him struggling or simply not having the energy to be the man I’m used to him being is hard. It certainly makes me question myself and it makes me question the future for him. He seems to be handling everything really well. I’m just so glad he agreed to go on this trip. And so glad that the amazing people we’ve met along the way have supported it happening. And now we’re starting to hear, in an interesting way, people thanking us for making this happen. Our trip is meaning a lot to them. That’s picking up steam as we go And what an interesting thing it is to have people thanking us on the heels of what some people thought was just a selfish trip of a father and a son. Some people thought, who is this kid who just wants to go out and hang out with his dad at the ballpark? Part of that’s true -- I do want to go and hang out with my dad at the ballpark. Part of it is this kid also wants to do some good things for people other than my dad. Bringing Parkinsonians together to see if there’s something the community can do to raise the common good for Parkinson’s Disease. And that might be as simple as awareness, That might be as simple as community. That might be as simple as networking and connecting. And if I can help do that through what we’re doing, then I’m honored and blessed. This feels like a very good use of my talents. And I’m thankful.

9:50 AM - Bob

I am struggling -- mightily at times -- with my dad’s quietness. I am (generally) optimistic, light, bright and excited about life. Even when I’m tired, I’m open to the possibility. There is (what I perceive to be) a crankiness and a closed-off nature that appears in my dad sometimes. As a child, I remember a lot of cynicism. That’s a painful thing for me to be around because it works so hard to crush possibility. Possibilities are hopes. Hopes are dreams. Hope/dreams take what are only imagined and tells them, “it’s okay -- you’re not crazy to hold that thought”.

I am hopeful. I am a dreamer. I believe in that which is not yet. That spirit is part of what got us on the road to where we are now. I trust today, remember yesterday and dream of tomorrow.

Boys of Summer - Entry #51

July 3, 2004 - Dad

Red Top Mountain State Park, GA 

We are up and on the road again by 7 a.m.  We plan to drive to Atlanta today.  We stop at St. Augustine to check out the beach before turning inland.  We turn west at Jacksonville and before long are crossing into Georgia.  

After 12 hours on the road, we reach Atlanta and have a donated dinner at Sweet Tomatoes (thank you, Sweet). Then it’s off to find Red Top Mountain State Park which is 15-20 minutes north of Atlanta. By the time we find the park, it is dark. We are getting pretty good at setting up camp in the dark. The temperature cools off to the low 70’s which makes for a better night’s sleep.

July 3rd, 2004 - Bob

Red Top Mountain State Park, GA 

As I was tired last night and going about business that I felt needed to be done, I thought to myself, I hope I don’t “work” this trip away. There are good things to enjoy along with the work elements (necessary as they are). Do my work and release myself to the moment, I keep saying.

Today was a long (but scheduled as such) drive from Miami to Atlanta. It’s all a part of the experience. There’s a long way to go and every day is special -- even the seemingly mundane stuff like long drives. It does afford good, uninterrupted time to talk and listen to radio-magazine programs on NPR. 

It’s strange and more than a little difficult to see my dad get tired as he does or not be able to move or lift as he once did -- not that any of these things make up the core of who he is, but they are part of my perception of him. Seeing him slip a bit physically takes away the Herculean idea most boys have (or had) of their father.

I remember my dad as the iron man who ran 6-8 miles a day. The Bay to Breakers was a classic run where we’d drop him off in San Francisco (“it’s so early” I think I whined once or twice -- yeah, “poor us”, we actually had to wake up to sleep in the back seat as Dad and 10’s of thousands of other psychos challenged the Hayes Street Hill). We’d meet Dad at the end, struggling to find him in the sea of humanity -- but always finding him, usually by his smile and his arms in the air (complete with very sweaty pits -- dad was quite a sweater).

I remember when I was a little boy, camping at Big Sur (near Monterey, CA). We climbed what seemed like an insurmountable hill and my dad smacked tennis balls up at us. We squealed with delight as the balls came near us and occasionally hit us. I’ve been back to that hillside since -- it’s not nearly as precarious as it seemed as a kid. I had the feeling that any of these balls could knock us loose from our “hiding place” and we’d go tumbling down the hill to...well, I guess those leaves wouldn’t have been too bad to land in.

I remember, too, a time where Dad and me were riding our bikes home from church (I was probably  about eight): A dog tore out of a yard we were passing by, barking and nipping at my heels. I was scared to death. My dad turned and fired a rock (where he got it I have no idea), he either hit the dog or scared it bad enough to have it scamper back to it’s yard. 

 “Keep your dog in your yard!” My dad bellowed. 

A tear of fear turned into a tear of pride just like that. The hero’s legend grew.

Once when I was in high school, my dad (in nothing but his well-worn tighty-whities) unwittingly came face to face with a cheese thief in our garage. I mean it -- the guy was stealing ten-pound block of mozzarella cheese (my dad makes great pizza). When my dad opened the door to the garage, he and the thief took one look at each other, screamed and ran in opposite directions. A moment later, my dad regained his wits (sort of), went out into the street (still in nary more than those tighty whiteys) and tore the license plate off a van that he was pretty sure harbored the dangerous cheese thief. The huge police dog that eventually flushed the thief out of the van had nothing on my dad.

So now the flesh from his chin sags slightly. His jaw is often slack, an effect of Parkinson's -- sometimes making it look as if he has gone away. Part of him, physically, has. And though that hurts, I know his mind and spirit are fully in tact. I see Dad and I as two souls on a different path (at least, by the time I entered this realm). We have clashed or, perhaps even more painfully, simply not connected and not understood how to many times throughout our lives. 

But I see now, in this blessed time we get to spend together, that we are far less different than either he or I once imagined. I love and am thankful for him -- all of him -- every day.

Boys of Summer - Entry #50

Park Number Four (of 30) at Tropicana Field

Toronto 14, Tampa Bay 0 -- PEEEEEEEE EWWWWWW!

WP: M. Batista (7-5)   LP: M. Hendrickson (5-6)

Oakland WINS 7-3 over Anaheim!

LATER...

Dad and I did get up to go pee at about 3 AM. No ‘gators. Not much sleep afterward either, though.

July 2, 2006 - Bob

Oscar Scherer Campground, FL

I’ve said it before - countless times, though I don’t know how much (if at all) I’ve put it in writing. So in Ruthian, calling-my-shot terms, I’m doing so right now: Stephen King and I are connected, I believe. 

I’ve come a long way as an artist and in many ways I’ve been brought along or at least guided by his works. These Dark Tower works (I just completed the sixth, “Song of Susannah”) touch my soul deeply and meaningfully. So what will I do now? Have I, with having made my little video and having met him, served my term? Have I done my complete tour with Ka? My mind (pray not it be my ego alone) says not. 

Methinks there is more work to do. Me feels there is more life and love to share. Earn his trust and respect, treat his words with caution and respect -- for his life is held within them I know that -- I’ve felt that and...I am here.

I am working on a spec script for “The Long Walk”, a story he wrote back in the 70’s under the pen name, Richard Bachman. When I met him in June, he gave me the go-ahead to write a spec version for him. I look forward to getting it to him...and I dread it at the same time. What if he hates it? Oh well...you do your best, kid. 

I am hopeful, too, as we talked a fair bit of baseball at that time. I told him about this journey and he was intrigued. He gave me his contact number in Boston as he is making a particular effort to be at as many games as possible for an upcoming book project he is working on. My hope is the wheel of Ka turns our way and we can meet him for dinner when we’re there next week. 

July 2, 2004 - Dad

Miami, FL

We went to sleep last night to the sights and sounds of very loud thunder and flashes of lightening, followed by very heavy rain.

We are up this morning and on the road early on our way south to Miami where we have a tailgate scheduled.  The National Parkinson Foundation was kind enough to arrange for two rooms for us at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Miami.  This is very nice, especially after our adventure last night.  

At the hotel, we relax until about 4 p.m. when it is time to go to Pro Players Stadium (where the Marlins play). We arrive after stopping at Costco to pick up a cash card donation -- they’ve been great everywhere we’ve been. We have a head count of 29 at our tailgate party -- more than half of them were from NPF.  Pro Player is our first dual purpose facility.  It is also home to the NFL Miami Dolphins. 

Despite being the defending world champs, the Marlins don’t draw very well. Tonight the Marlins lost to Tampa Bay.  Bob and I are interviewed on live Fox Sports TV. We hear later that my nephew, Patrick Cochrane, who is watching TV in Seattle, happens to see the interview.  

July 2, 2004 (LATE PM) - Bob

Miami, FL

It was a great game. Miami is a wonderful place -- SOOOPER hot (and muggy like root beer). Pro Player is not a great baseball stadium -- that’s no secret. But it is a great place to watch a game. The small crowd was very passionate (one year after a championship, one would hope so) and there was a fun, family atmosphere. 

Everywhere one looks in Pro Player, there is football. Even looking at the field, I much more expect to see Dan Marino pitching than Carl Pavano. The Marlins mascot (a Marlin, fittingly enough) seems to have a great time buzzing around the warning track on a yacht on wheels with the cheerleaders (oh yes, they have cheerleaders) tossing t-shirts into the crowd. Good work if you can get it. 

We had a pre game party that was small but fun. Whole Foods was excellent -- chips, water, soda, buns, dogs and condiments -- many, many thanks to them for their donations. My only sadness there was that they (the Whole Foods group) didn’t show up to the game -- it would have been nice to meet them and thank them in person. 

We have a long drive tomorrow and I’m tired already. 

Park Number Five (of 30) at Pro Player Stadium

Tampa Bay 4, Florida 2

 WP: J. Colome (2-1)   LP: C. Pavano (9-3)

Oakland loses 7-3 to the Giants

WP: K Rueter     LP: M Redman 

Tailgate in Miami

July 3, 2004, 11:46 am »

We really enjoyed meeting all of you, yesterday. We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate Nicholas' 2nd birthday. Hannah hopes that Dan enjoys his special rock . We will keep checking in to see how the rest of your trip is going. Take care and be safe.

Heather Tavio and family

P.S. We DID love the music too.

Boys of Summer - Entry #49

July 1, 2004

Interviewing Dad

Bob:

What did you hear in the woods?

Dad:

Well, we’re too far south for a Sasquatch. It sounded like it was big and furry and coming at me. But then it didn’t come at me so...I figured it was small and slimy and more like a frog. Probably without teeth. 

Thunder booms above.

Bob:

How do you feel about that thunder?

Dad:

Thunder’s no big deal. It’s always a ways away. The worst I’m going to do is get wet from the following storm.

Bob:

Not worried about the lightning?

Dad:

No. Not worried about the lightning.

Just then, something rattles in the bushes. We look around, but don’t find anything. We agree that’s a good thing. I continue to ask dad questions about Tropicana Field and Enrique when he suddenly stops.

Dad:

There’s another noise back there. (Laughs) Enrique was a really inspirational guy. He’s very enthusiastic and he’s certainly made a wonderful life for himself even though he’s been blind all his life. He sees what a lot of people don’t see who can see. He very much enjoys life and isn’t at all put upon by his condition. It’s a good lesson for me.

Bob:

How are you feeling about your bug bites?

Dad: 

I wish I didn’t have them. They’re pretty aggressive. I was saying earlier I think they’re holding they’re nose and going in for a meal. 

Bob:

How much “Off” do you have on?

Dad:

A double dose and I’ve still been bitten by a couple.

Bob:

How was it being back to baseball today?

Dad:

It’s really good to be back to baseball. I enjoyed the time off, but it’s good to be back to baseball. Today it seemed like it was kind of a blessing that we weren’t distracted by a pre-party, we were just able to enjoy the game. The only distraction and it wasn’t much of one was the television crew who were following us around for a third or half the game. They were very gracious and thorough. It was a bit of a distraction, but a worthwhile one. 

BOB’S TAKE on Tropicana’s All-Access Press passes

Getting to walk through the tunnel, is pretty special. When you walk through the area where the players are right before they take the field, it’s this dark, concrete, enclosed place -- almost tomblike (thunder booms overhead)...and that’s some serious thunder...and as you’re walking through this tomb, you hear the echoes and footsteps. Then you go a little further, you’re looking down at the steps and as you step up, all of a sudden, the field opens up before you. And in my mind, I hear the big dramatic theme music, like from “The Natural” when Robert Redford knocks the stadium lights out. It’s pretty special. 

July 1, 2005 (LATE PM) - Bob

Oscar Scherer Campground, FL

The thunder rocks tonight in this campground. Wow, what a show! There’s lightning popping everywhere. It illuminates the sky. It was a great time doing a video standup for the documentary with all these conditions going wild. It’s important to capture the moments in the moment and we will reflect on them in due time -- for now we are real and true to what is present and that is good.

I’m thirsty but I don’t want to drink too much water ‘cause I don’t want to go out in this crazy weather. Don’t want to visit any of the creatures around us either -- red eyes or not. Just say no to ‘gators.

Once again my faith is being tested here: “We will be safe inside of this tent. The tent is weather (and lightning and ‘gator) resistant. It is all but nature and we are but part of it.

I breathe and it is good. 100 percent.

Boys of Summer Book - Entry #48

June 30, 2004 - Dad

Newport Richey, FL

We are up and on the road by 9:30 a.m.  One last look at New Orleans and breakfast at Café du Monde – chicory coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice and fresh beignets.  After a long days drive, that takes us from Louisiana through Mississippi and Alabama, we end up in Newport Richey, Florida where we find an inexpensive motel that has air conditioning – all we really care about.

Oakland 4, Anaheim 2

WP: C. Bradford (4-4)   LP: S. Shields (5-2) 

July 1, 2004 (EARLY AM) - Bob

Newport Richey, FL

We’re back on baseball track -- heading to see the D-Rays today. We’ll be at Ferg’s (an awesome sports bar/grill right outside Tropicana Stadium that has given us free drink/eats) early and will do an interview with a local TV station there. From there, we’re on to the ball game. It’ll be nice to go in and enjoy the game -- not worried about the fundraising elements, not worried about the crowd, not worried about anything, really -- just enjoying the game. Nice.

Yesterday was a long day of driving, but quite enjoyable. I feel like the coordination efforts with this trip are really coming together. I know pretty well where everything is and how it works -- we get the tickets, we see where the PD community is, we hit the media up, THEN we check on food, and the group tickets (those are the easy elements). 

By the by, big ups to Qdoba Burritos in Tallahassee for the donation of our dinner burritos. 

Current mood: tired. We’re in an Econo Lodge just about a 1/2 hour outside of St. Pete’s. That lets us sleep easy tomorrow knowing we’re so close to where we need to be. Nice. I’ll probably get up at about 8:45. That’ll work. I’ll try the internet situation -- maybe take a run at the beach. We’ll see. 

July 1, 2004 - DAD

Oscar Scherer Campground, FL

Up at 8:30 and on the road by 10:15. It looks like we are going to be late for our pre game TV Interview.  Bob calls ahead and they say, "No problem."  

We arrive at Ferg’s at ll:40 for our 11:00 interview.  We are greeted by Mark Ferguson, proprietor.  Mark is enthusiastic about our project.  He gives us orange wristbands, which allows us unlimited food and drink at his restaurant.  We order lunch and realize that our TV Interview is ready.  The local CBS affiliate team is very interested in our story and does a complete interview.  

At the game, we are given media passes which allows us to go everywhere except the locker room. Bob is able to get three good interviews, including one with local announcer Enrique Oliu, who is the color commentator for the Spanish radio station. Enrique is blind -- seriously!

Bob:

What makes you unique as an announcer?

Enrique:

I don’t know, they same I’m blind. But I don’t know if that’s unique or out of the ordinary. 

Bob:

What attracts you to baseball?

Enrique:

Sports in general. The fact that my father was a big sports guy. and radio was still king in Nicaragua where I grew up. I’ve always loved sports because it’s not a subjective matter. The numbers are what they are. And it’s the mark of excellence. That’s why I’m drawn to sports. The records...the mark of excellence.

Bob:

Have you been blind you’re entire life?

Enrique:

Yes.

Bob:

When your dad was a player, did you listen to the games on the radio?

Enrique:

No, no. He just played on the sandlots or high schools. I went to his games when he was in the 30 and over or 40 and over leagues -- something like that. 

Bob:

Baseball’s a big deal in Central America?

Enrique:

Yes -- in some areas it’s soccer, in other areas it’s baseball. Wherever there has been an American presence for any length of time, baseball is there.

Bob:

So how did you start calling games?

Enrique:

I just started doing it. I began with three innings of color commentary for Ripley’s. Then I did 15 games for the senior professional baseball league. And I don’t know, I had talk shows and I did sports correspondence or the updates during the day and different things at different stations around the town. It just so happened that my friend was an ex Major Leaguer and he was nice enough to talk to the Devil Rays and give me a chance and that’s how it happened. 

Bob:

What does baseball mean to you?

Enrique:

It’s a vehicle. To meet people. To watch something that I love and get paid a couple bucks for it. 

Bob:

Do you see where baseball could be a metaphor for life?

Enrique:

Any sport. That’s why the broadcasters always use metaphors. The Excellence, the attrition, the people that get cut and those that  go on. In essence that’s life. Not everyone’s going to get everywhere in life. Some of them are going to be digging ditches, some are going to be doctors, some are going to be low on the totem pole, some are going to be high on the totem pole. That’s just the way life is. 

Bob:

Do you think you’ve taken this opportunity, with your being blind, to the next level?

Enrique:

I think so. I mean it’s a chance for me to have done some motivational speaking. And people have been receptive to it. And you go to somebody’s house and: “Oh, I’ve read you, I’ve seen you on television, I’ve read you in the Reader’s Digest in Spanish. You know, the bigger thing is somebody reads it and says, “well, he’s not such a big thing”. Which I’m not. And I can go on from there. 

Bob:

What’s the nicest thing somebody’s said to you about  your work?

Enrique:

That I know what I’m talking about, coaches and players. 

Bob:

So it’s meaningful to you that you do a really good job?

Enrique:

Well that would be in anything. Whether I work as a public defender or I work here. As a public defender, I’m not a lawyer, but I know just about as much as any lawyer. 

Bob:

So your official job beyond this is as a public defender?

Enrique:

I work for the public defender. As kind of an intake specialist -- a liaison for the people who are in jail. They have a toll-free line.

Bob: 

So do you see yourself calling sports for a long time?

Enrique:

Yes. Why not? If Vin (Scully) can do it for 55 years with the Dodgers and Ernie Harwell can do the Tigers for 42 years, hey. I would love it. Have you guys met Muhammad Ali?

Dan:

No. We have the support of his research center, but we haven’t met him yet.

Enrique:

But you haven’t met him? I thought you might get a chance to meet him. I’ll tell  you what, to me he’s an inspiration. When he lit up the torch and took it up as far as he could in Atlanta. That was impressive. 

Bob:

He is what many people consider the greatest.

Enrique:

Yes he is. And in many more ways than one. Whether you agree or disagree with him, at least he had a stand. Which most people -- they talk a good game, but they don’t really stand for it. 

Dan:

Bob also interviewed the young lady who sang "O Canada" and the National Anthem and Greg Zahn, the catcher from Toronto. It turns out that Greg’s mother was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He is interested in our project and tells Bob to contact the team’s P.R. rep about our visit to Toronto.  

After the game we returned to Fergies to say thanks to Mark. He insists that we have a beer before leaving. We drive to Oscar Scherer State Park, just south of Sarasota, check in with the park ranger and take off for the beach with about an hour before sunset. The beach is beautiful white sand, water is at least 85 degrees. We swim and goof around until the sun sets. By the time we get back to our campsite, it is quite dark and there is thunder and lightning. 

We are setting up camp and I am surprised by a noise from the surrounding darkness. It sounds like a large animal moving through the bushes. 

Boys of Summer Book - Entry #47

June 29, 2004 - Dad

New Orleans, LA

We are up and out of the campsite by midmorning. We stopped at Graceland  on our way out of Memphis. Elvis continues to be big business 26 years after his death. Our schedule allows time to visit the grounds, take some pictures, and send some postcards with the Graceland postmark.  

Our trip to New Orleans features a very heavy rainstorm. We pulled off the side of the freeway under an overpass. By the time we reach New Orleans, the rain had stopped. It was about 7 p.m. and we were hungry.  

We found a Dominos and ate pizza sitting on a marble slab next to a busy street.  After dinner we took a walking tour of the French Quarter, finishing with the famous Bourbon Street.  It was a very alive scene and quite a contrast to Beale Street.  

We stayed at St Bernard State Park  - about 20 minutes outside of New Orleans.  The weather continues to be hot and humid.  We set up camp in the dark – the temperature does not get below 85 degrees.  Inside a nylon tent, there is no need for a sleeping bag.

Oakland 5, Anaheim 4

WP: M. Mulder (10-2)   LP: B. Donnelly (1-1) 

June 30th, 2004 - Bob

Newport Richey, FL

Woo! Sweaty hot! You get up in the morning here and sweat. That’s just what you do in N’awlins. It’s a very cool city...despite the heat. When we drove in yesterday, it had been a long drive w/ some excitement from the torrential rain and we really weren’t sure if we were camping or not. More rain? We decided to head into the French Quarter and once we did, things fell into place. 

I couldn’t name it all for you, but I promise to show it to you in pictures someday should you be intrigued.

We had a frozen drink (and one was plenty, WHAM BAM, thank you, dad), walked down Bourbon Street, listened to some great tunes, then got back in the Explorer. All we had to do then was find our campsite (since the weatherman odds -- 60% no to 40% yes -- were slightly in our favor for no rain). 

WELLLLLLL....

We eventually found it and there was a gate blocking the entrance. Whoops. We weren’t ready to take “find another campground” for an answer so we did some ‘splorin. Thankfully, a car came and the driver unlatched the gate on the outgoing side (right before I was about to call to dad for the tool box). We followed them in and made our way into the swamp...literally. There is a swamp 75 feet from out tent. Nice. Loud, alive and sweaty -- we slept with all of it. 

Did I mention I have a mortal fear of alligators?

In the middle of the night, I had to pee. Had to. Had to, had to, tried to fight it, but had to. Period. No negotiating with the bladder. I fought it as best I could. Said it wasn’t that bad. My kidneys throbbed to differ. I got up, slow and groggy, almost slipping several times and at the same time trying to be quiet so as not to wake my fellow camp mates. Then again, I wanted to be loud enough so as not to surprise any alligators.

Out of the tent, the bull frogs (toads?) did their poor impressions of humans doing poor impressions of cows. Though the human part was eerily close. Question: who was up here doing bad impressions of cows? And why did it have such an impression on the bullfrogs (toads)?

Gators are said to look like frogs (LOGS, I mean...). There were several large brown unmoveables around me. Pee now or to the bathroom? If one of those logs moves, the choice will be made for me.

I decide for the bathroom -- damn I‘m civil. First step is the most difficult of the journey I’m told and so it was. At some point a journey grows on you or you on to it. As short a trip to the commode in a New Orleans campground or a longer one like this baseball odyssey or even life itself -- all journeys, all with difficulties and challenges. When we open ourselves to them, magic can, will and does happen.

Yes, I made it.

Breakfast at Cafe du Monde was spectacular the next morning -- powdered floury-lard, BLACK cafe and sweet OJ. Very good, very unique -- very special. 

I had long romanticized this city in my mind -- even though once I might like to move here. New Orleans lived up to the hype. There was something romantically sweaty about it. Stinky, rotting, nasty, funky, cool.

Interviewing Dad at Cafe Du Monde

Bob:

Do you feel if you were not to wake up tomorrow that you’ve lived a life you’re happy with?

Dan:

Yeah, I’d say so. Definitely. There’s always more you could do and more you’d want to do, but if I was to die tomorrow I guess I’d hope I’d be in a position where I could  say that. 

Bob:

What would be the most important thing for you if you knew you only had one day?

Dad:

My loved ones --mom, you, chris. Spending time together. 

Bob:

Chris said, in a very teary interview, the one thing she wished for was more time.

Dad:

Yeah, well, that’s ultimately all we have. Money’s important. Health is important. But the time you have together is really all  you have. 

Bob:

And what you do with it.

Dad:

Certainly what you do with it. 

Bob:

Your decision to go on this trip had something to do with time because this decision means time away from mom. It is time for you and I to spend some time together and do something that we’ve talked about. So, that’s a particular choice with time.

Dad:

Yeah, that was a hard one. It was hard for me, hard for you and I know it was hard for mom, because it does seem like things are coming at me a little quicker now. But I’m happy about the choice; I’m really excited about the choice and I think we’ll appreciate our time together that much more when we’re back together. 

Boys of Summer Book - June 27-29, 2004

The Boys of Summer continue roll along - for the latest please see our website.
 
June 27, 2004 - DAD

Dallas, TX

Another good day of rest at Christine’s.  We were late sleepers.  Eventually we got up and went to see Fahrenheit /911 a Michael Moore documentary questioning America’s involvement in Iraq and the abilities of President Bush.  In a pro-Bush state and pro-Bush city (the audience) was openly supportive of the film. 

June 27, 2004 - Bob

Dallas, TX

I had been waiting for Fahrenheit 9/11 for quite some time and got to see it today -- Wow. Getting to see it in Dallas (after driving over on the George Bush highway to get here and all) was particularly interesting. I very much appreciate the way Michael Moore gets people thinking and talking. Great movie.

We’re going to have a few more days off (away from baseball) here on the road. I’ve never been to “the south”, particularly N’awlins and I’ve always wanted to. I was considering moving to the Big Easy at one point -- chose Vegas instead (the dry version of the Big Easy).

San Francisco 5, Oakland 2

WP: D. Hermanson (3-2)   LP: M. Redman (6-4)

June 28, 2004 - DAD

Memphis, TN

We are off to a later than planned start (it’s pretty much a trademark).  We are on our way to Memphis through Little Rock and some very lush countryside.  We arrive in Memphis at about 7:30.  We set up camp at T.O. Fuller State Park – 10 minutes of downtown Memphis.  Then we are off to Beale Street.  Beale Street is not nearly as animated as my last visit – a bit of a disappointment.  We stopped by the local AAA Ballpark just as the game ended.  We went looking for something to eat.  We knew we had gone too far when we saw a sign advertising "Pimp Juice"*.  The insects back at the campground are as loud as they were at Guadeloupe.

*Bob’s note: Dad doesn’t realize I own stock in the company. I’m not only a client...

The A’s are off tonight.

June 29, 2004 - Mom
Walnut Creek, CA

The first week (of Dan being gone) was not a problem. It was a short amount of time. I got to go see Christine and the boys when I went to Dallas. I also got to spend some time alone with Chris and Migdalia. We had a very nice visit. It was hard when Dan and Bob left but I was there for a couple more days. It was hard coming home. It felt a little lonelier -- even though NY was only 8 days away. I could feel the angst -- anxiety. I could feel the depression coming on. 

The Boys of Summer continue roll along - for the latest please see our website.