Boys of Summer Book - Entry #137

You can see the complete film "Boys of Summer" for free by clicking here. 

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

Three more reviews:

Friday Dec 9th, 2005 

From www.athleticsnation.com:

Written by skigurl

Just wanted to give a huge thanks to Robert for giving a few of us the chance to see his very personal film about his baseball trip with his dad last summer. He graciously hosted a great party where we also got to meet his dad, the "star" of the movie, who has Parkinson's disease. 

The film was really three stories: A baseball trip, a father/son relationship, and a chance to see what Parkinson's is about and how it affects those who have it and their families. He's got lots of talent as a filmmaker but, more importantly, he has a wonderful family and was very open about sharing them with us.

It's rare for people to be as open about who they are in front of a camera, and I think it's a great story that will hopefully get wider distribution.

Friday Dec 09, 2005

From www.atheleticsnation.com

Written by Alameda Greg

Me too

I also went with my wife last night (nice to meet you skigurl) and this movie is touching and funny. 

Robert, two things:

I forgot to ask in the Q/A last night what the deal was with those kids with the mansion in Houston? Your dad's line about their parents was the funniest of the night, that and that Cincy kid mispronouncing Miguel Tejada.

I also didn't realize until I got home last night that you are also the person who went to the Raiders game and had such a bad experience. I happened to run across that post last night. Dang, I wish I would have known so we could have talked about it.

Keep in Touch

**********************************************

LETTER FROM THE BOSTON RED SOX

December 14, 2005

Dear Robert,

I would like to thank you for sending me a copy of Boys of Summer. I watched the film, in the company of others in my office, and we all commented on how well the documentary was made. Following you and your father, Dan, as you made your trip across the country, through various cities and Major League ballparks, was a truly touching depiction of the bond between a father and a son.

We were very pleased, as well, to see that the game of baseball could play a small part in the trips you took, and the stories you were able to bring to the film. We particularly enjoyed the fact that you were able to make a stop here, at our beloved Fenway Park.

For those of us who know or love someone with Parkinson’s disease, your film touches upon many of the feelings we go through every day. And for someone who is unfamiliar with the disease, your film does a wonderful job of expressing how such a disease effects not only the person with the disease, but also all of those who care for them and the disease secondhand.

I would like to wish you all the best in this endeavor and all that may follow. Your work on behalf of all of those inflicted with Parkinson’s disease is inspirational, and heartfelt. Thank you again for sharing it with us. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Carles A. Steinberg 

Executive Vice President/Public Affairs

Boys of Summer Book - Entry #83.2

You can see the complete film "Boys of Summer" for free by clicking here. 

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

On the subway, going to see the Mets:

RC:
What is the best stadium you’ve seen so far and why?

DC:
Fenway, because it was so simple and natural.

RC:
What did you think about meeting those young ladies at the gas station last night?

DC:
It was like a dream. I’m still kind of blinking and wondering if it really happened. They were so full of life and so full of the journey they were on -- kind of a similar journey. It was remarkable.

RC:
You said the other day that there are too many coincidences.

DC:
There was another example of it. There have been a number of them along the way and I’m constantly surprised with how closely they align themselves with what we’re doing. And how compatible they are. It seems extraordinary.

RC:
So does that change any belief systems you had? Has this trip changed any of your belief systems about anything?

DC:
I think about compassion and...people are more compassionate than I would have expected. And when they’re allowed to be, they’re more thoughtful.

RC:
What do you mean “when they’re allowed to be”?

DC:
Well, it’s opening up to them. Inviting them into your world.

RC:
So this trip has forced you to open yourself up more?

DC:
Oh definitely. And it was interesting in Minneapolis meeting with the Parkinsonians, Jack said more than once that the disease tends to cause him to pull himself into his circle of comfort. And he was thankful we were having the event we were having because it was something he wouldn’t normally do. And of course we’re doing something that I wouldn’t normally do -- much larger than a trip to the ballpark. It’s a trip around the country. It’s a natural thing when your abilities are becoming less to find comfort in the familiar but it’s also...it’ll end up...maybe that’s what John Trudeau meant when he said “Don’t let the disease eat you.”

RC:
So are you still thinking about that a little bit?

DC:
Oh sure. That’s one of the ones that resonates. There’s less I can do about the physical part. There’s more I can do with the mental part. That’s to keep the thought process going and to take care of myself, but not limit myself.

RC:
Gary had some good takes -- our friend from the lake in Minnesota. His level of activity -- he’s almost hyperactive and he’s been diagnosed for 15 years and has some pretty serious dyskinesia and yet his creativity and how prolific he is are astounding.

DC:
I have a hard time imagining what he’d be like if he were not a Parkinsonian. He probably would have built a castle or something -- I don’t know.

RC:
He might anyway.

DC:
I don’t see how he could be any more active. That’s just very heartening.

RC:
What were your thoughts at the Field of Dreams when you walked in?

DC:
I was surprised at how unartificial it was. The corn got to me more than anything else. The house, the backstop, I couldn’t smell it, but it looked like it smelled right. It didn’t look like a set and of course it was a set and now it’s something else. I have an idea of a set being something that has a front side you photograph and a backside you don’t. You could photograph any side of this and it was very real.

RC:
Contrast your thoughts of when we first discussed the project to where the project is now -- in terms of your thought of it’s success.

DC:
It’s kind of like filling in a blank page. We started with an outline and now there’s lots of textures and colors. So there’s an awful lot more to it. The things that we’ve already discussed that I couldn't’ have anticipated and many more. And then the thing I’ve said before is the biggest surprise is the people. Baseball is -- we saw a great game last night for instance -- but the richness of the trip is coming from meeting, talking to the people of all kinds -- not just Parkinsonians. Those girls last night, for instance. And Paulette just so you know, we didn’t touch them.

RC:
Yeah Paulette and Annamaria. They touched us. But we couldn’t do anything about that. But we didn’t touch them.

Park Number 18 (of 30) 

Shea Stadium
Atlanta 4, New York Mets 3
 WP: M. Hampton (6-8)   LP: S. Trachsel (9-7)

Oak 9, Tex 2

Boys of Summer book Entry #65

Leaving Fenway...

Mom:

We saw Johnny Damon who was being so sweet to the kids. We went up on top of the Green Monster. The whole experience was surreal.
I had a Fenway Frank. It was great. I loved being there. The only thing that was hard is the seats were so small!

Dad:

After a couple of innings we return to our seats to watch the Red Sox beat the Rangers 7-0. The crowd is large and enthusiastic but not too rowdy.

Bob:

Then up to the monster where we almost got drilled by a couple of balls and met a number of great members of the Red Sox Nation. We actually got invited to stay with a couple in Chicago when we go there in a couple of weeks just by meeting and befriending a couple of Chicago transplants who were in Boston to see their beloved Sox for the night!

We got interviewed by Channel 5 and by Colleen, also, for the Red Sox local Show. We got to see the game from so many interesting angles -- it was amazing. Met Colleen’s Dad -- sat five feet from the game. What a great guy. I met a fan who loved our story so much he gave us $40 to have a couple of beers or, “for whatever you want to use it for,” as he said.

Wow.

I scored a free peppers and onion sandwich on top of the monster (delicious) thanks to a kindly vendor closing up shop. Hats, shirts and an awesome throwback ball were also gifted to us courtesy of Colleen. Wow -- A-Freaking-Mazing. A great game. So much love. All that was left was the train ride home.

So we’re waiting in a long line to get on the train, which doesn’t bother any of us because we’re all floating on air by this point, and suddenly we see a guy and girl (who I’ll refer to as “The Couple” from here on out) appear out of nowhere. They look as if they’re going to cut to the front of the line. 

“The line starts back there” a voice in the line says.

The Couple turns around, stares.

“Who said that?” She, of “The Couple”, demands. And His face, God His face...His top lip was curled up the bottom one hung down, revealing sharply angled teeth and an expression that said he’d just recently been hit by an Andre Agassi two-handed backhand.

There was no response from the line beyond silence. 

“We’re walking, faggot,” He says.

The Couple turns and, indeed walks on the overpass. There is murmuring from a couple guys in the crowd.

“Bet you five bucks that kid can’t keep his yap shut,” someone says.

From the overpass, He calls out: “You see? We’re walking!”

From the line: “Thanks, you just made me five bucks!”

Dad:

The line to board the train was two blocks long but moved quickly. We are very happy with our decision to ride the train. Parking cost (from what we saw) $20 - $50 per car and traffic is at a dead standstill.

Mom:

The train was SRO (standing room only) on the way back. Everyone was talking to everyone else. I loved it. The people who owned the house we were staying at had arrived. We sat up and talked to them. I did feel a little guilty because we put their daughter our of their bed. But they were very kind.

Bob:

We get back to Newton. Annamaria and I go next door to interview some very cool artists who had heard about our adventure.

Boys of Summer Book - Entry #63

Interviewing Peter Gammons

RC:

Tell us why baseball is important to fathers and sons in your experience?

PG:

Well because there is so much history. And it’s traditional. It’s also a game that, because it doesn’t have a clock, it’s a conversational game. I mean it’s hard to have a lot of conversations during a hockey game, a basketball game or a football game because you think every play is really important. Now, in baseball, they are important but there’s time in between. And it’s every day...so you’re living out a life and each season is a life in itself. 

RC:

Did you go to your first game with your dad as a little guy?

PG:

Ayuh.

RC:

And what was that like?

PG:

It was tremendous. I remember the day, it was in 1952. It was June 28, 1952 I came into Fenway Park because I lived about 40 miles outside of Boston. And I was struck by how green it was. Because then we only had black and white televisions so I had no idea what the color was. I walked up that ramp right there the first time I came into Fenway and I remember everything about that day. And I think most people do remember the first time they went to a ballpark.

RC:

Did they win that day?

PG:

No, they lost 5-1.

RC:

Who’d they play?

PG:

They played the Washington Senators.

RC:

Who pitched?

PG:

Dick Berdowski pitched for Washington and beat Boston and I do remember I got to see Dizzy Trout who was 44 years old, pitch in that game. And then of course his son played. And then the second game I came to was against Detroit. The great thing about that was, a guy who was a great pitcher, Virgil “Fire” Trucks pitched for the Tigers in that game. And that was very important to me because of my love of music because his nephew and great nephew are the drummer and guitarist for the Allman Brothers. 

RC: 

What is it like for you now to share the game with others?

PG:

It’s wonderful. Their love of it, too -- in those days we used to go out to the bleachers and just have a lot of fun. Again...A baseball game isn’t an event, the way a football game is. A baseball game is just another day of an experience. And I think that’s what makes it so great. And the players...I’m fortunate to have been really close to the game and know how much players care and how hard they play. I very believe very strongly that the players today are better than the players when I was going to games in the 60’s. And I’ll tell you this, they care every bit as much now as they ever did.

RC:

Regardless of the money.

PG:

It’s all relative. To Ted Williams it was a big deal to make $125,000 when Joe DiMaggio made $120,000. When Rickey Henderson made three million and someone got three-point-one and he wanted three-point-five...it’s all relative. It’s not something that most of us can relate to...unless you’re making 17 million dollars. It’s not the money, it’s the pride of being better than somebody else. 

RC:

What is the greatest ballpark right now?

PG:

Pac Bell, San Francisco. Second, Pittsburgh. The difference is, Pac Bell’s in San Francisco and Pittsburgh’s Pittsburgh. 

RC:

What is the greatest play you’ve ever seen -- at the game when you were there?

PG:

I would say it would be the Devon White catch in the World Series in 1992. I think it was greater than Mays’ catch. The bases were loaded, line drive directly over his head with the wall, because he was going at it full speed, like Mays, but Mays at least had an angle. It was directly over (White’s) head. He caught it at full speed, bases loaded two outs, one-run game and he hit the wall. And to me, when you’re faced with a wall it makes it even greater. As much as I love Willie Mays, he’s my favorite player of all time, that was the greatest play. 

boys of Summer Book - Entry #61

July 9, 2004 - Dan

Boston, MA

We arrive at our guest’s home at 4:30 a.m. It’s a funny feeling walking into a house when you have not met the owners and it is 4:30 in the morning.

Fortunately the Bartons left us a welcome note so that we know that we are in the right place. I am only able to sleep in until 9:30, so here I am up and writing. What an amazing day! We meet some of the Bartons neighbors and they recommend we take a train to Fenway, a great idea!  

After a short walk from the train station, we arrive at the Fenway and it is alive with activity three hours before game time. We meet Colleen Reilly, the Red Sox P.R. rep. and a truly thoughtful person. 

Mom:

We left at 2-2:30(PM) for the game. We took the train in from Newton. The family arrived and told us that would be a much better route than driving. We got right off at Fenway. That was my favorite experience as far as baseball goes. 

To walk around there -- t-shirts, peanuts, the people. Colleen, our Red Sox ambassador, was just amazing! Loved her job, her team, her city. 

Bob:

Boston - whoa! Baseball!!!

The house we’re at is beautiful. We had a great start to the day -- the best I’ve slept in two months, maybe more. 

We went to the game and took the train getting there. How cool was that? Shades of the BART and trips I made as a kid riding in to the old Coliseum as a kid. The T-Line was money - and it saved us big money as parking around Fenway is nuts!

Within all of it was this overwhelming excitement about the city of Boston. I love the feel of this place. We get there, round the corner and BAM there’s the stadium. It's a carnival every game day. The streets shut down to cars and open up to people. We spoke with a third generation peanut vendor on the street. We spoke with a security guard on Yawkey. Everyone had a smile, a wink, a "Go Sox!" shout and a couple dozen great stories. 

So we meet our liaison, Colleen Reilly -- give me a break. How freaking cool is she? So fun. So sweet. So gracious in getting us all around Fenway. She got us on the field, an interview with Peter Gammons, seats next to her dad in the second row behind first base, a bag of goodies with BoSox hats and shirts and her unbelievable spirit and kindness the whole way. There aren't enough apples there to tell you how much I like 'em.