I have been waiting for this day for a very long time. This afternoon, my hero, Cal Ripken, Jr. got inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. I sit here with tears in my eyes, clad in the orange and black for today's ceremony.
There are four Cal moments that have been swirling through my mind all day.
The first came when I was 8 years old. Cal, Cal Sr., Billy Ripken and the Bird were signing autographs at Montgomery Mall. We must have waited a couple of hours, but I got my autographs, and still proudly have them.
The second was that historic September 6, 1995 night when Cal broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive record streak. When the game became official and the "1" banner dropped, I have rarely felt such elation. I cried through much of Cal's victory lap, and still get a little emotional every time a clip is shown. In these days of corporate sponsorship, steroids and tainted records, it remains refreshing to have a moment of pure professionalism, athleticism and personal achievement.
The third came on a hazy, ungodly hot summer afternoon at Camden Yards in 1998. I was interning for HTS, the Orioles cable network. I was helping Tom Davis set up his pre-game report. Having a couple free moments, I sat in on the bench of the Orioles dugout. Eric Davis and Brady Anderson walked by me. To my right, about 5 feet away was Cal Ripken preparing for the night's game. I was 5 feet from my hero. I was drenched in sweat and had a rapidly beating heart, but am still unsure if that was from being so close to Cal or the relentless heat. I looked over at him, and saw a man preparing for his job. And although he was my hero and a superstar baseball player, he was for that moment, a regular person. And it was at that moment, I stopped being starstruck.
Finally, Cal's final games at Fenway Park in September 2001. It truly is amazing I wasn't fired at some point in those three days. The Red Sox showed much patience and I am forever appreciative. I was asked by the organization to make a tribute video for Cal for his final Fenway game. I called my mom, and by the next morning, had every Cal momento collected through the years. In the one minute 42 second video, about 80% of the footage came from my own collection.
The Sunday before his last game was an afternoon game. Afterwards, I hung around in the Control Room, putting the finishing touches on my video. I took a break and saw Cal walking on the field with a video camera. I took that moment to go to the controls for the Green Monster scoreboard and punch in the number 8 in the At Bat section. Mikey, showing a rare kindness to my Cal obsession, but up the number 8 on the jumbotron. I watched Cal walk along the field, hoping in some part I made this walk a little more special.
The final Fenway game was a very emotional day. Anxious for my video and for the game, my other job told me to leave by 11am and I spent the rest of the day at the park. I watched Cal conduct interview after interview in the stands. When I brought down the radar gun before the game, I stayed down there for the pre-game ceremonies. My video played on the jumbotron. My video played on the FOX affiliate. My video played on HTS for my Mom to see. Later, my friends at FOX taped Cal watching my tribute. At the end, he nudged the person next to him and said, "That was nice". There are few moments where I've been prouder. I alternated watching Cal's at-bats down with Ed Riley and behind PA announcer extrodinaire, Ed Brickley. Much of the game is a blur.
Seeing Cal's final at-bat was coming, I waded through the packed Fenway stands back down to Ed Riley. He was right behind the backstop, directly behind home plate. He made sure I was right up front, with nobody blocking my view. Ed gives Cal the most perfect introduction and Cal takes to the plate. The video shows me clinging to the backstop, and tears rolling down my eyes. I'm yelling, "Thank you, Cal", "I love you Cal". I stayed down there for the remainder of the game. Although I should have continued to stay there, I headed back to the Control Room when the game ended. I spent the next hour watching Cal thank fans in waves of mutual admiration. I went home that night so thankful that I got to, in some small way, thank Cal Ripken for all the happiness he brought me for so many years.
So with today's induction, I am reminded of so many prominent Cal Ripken moments in childhood memories. And so with his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, I simply say thank you Cal.
Quote of the Day:
"Equations are the devil's sentences" -Stephen Colbert
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Saturday, July 14, 2007
10 Years Ago Today
Today is a very important day in my life. It's one of those days that was life-changing. Ten years ago today, I went to my first taping of "Late Show with David Letterman".
It was the summer in between by freshman and sophmore year of college. I had gotten the tickets a couple of weeks before and was so excited. Touching the tickets was like touching gold. I hyperventilated. I was finally going to see my idol in person. Life was good.
Monday July 14, 1997. My Mom and I stayed with relatives and took the train in from Connecticut. I had been to New York once before when I was really young, but I didn't remember much if it. I loved New York instantly. I loved the energy and pace. We walked up W. 53rd Street and I vividly remember seeing the Ed Sullivan Theatre come into view on Broadway. I look to my right and see a Roy Rogers. I am home.
Mom and I go to the theatre and get our tickets numbered #13 and #14 (the ticketing system has since changed). We spent the rest of the day walking around and taking in the sights -- the NBC tour, 5th Avenue. But each minute passed was a minute closer to Dave.
Finally the time comes for us to return to the theatre and we stood in line. We struck up a conversation with a teacher from Indiana who had come specifically to see Dave. I was very much in my element. Everyone around me loving Dave as much as me. Everyone knowing how many guys in bear suits fit in a coffee shop (23). I've never been so happy.
We seemed to stand in line forever. But I was too busy looking around taking everything in. Finally, we are ushered into the theatre. Mom and I are put in the third row on the right, the first complete row so nobody is sitting in front of us. It was definitely as cold as the rumor says.
This is when the life-changing moment happened. The warm-up guy, Eddie Brill, comes out, but I don't concentrate on him. I'm on sensory overload taking absolutely everything in. I'm watching the camera guys, and the stage managers and the prop people, and I have a feeling of overwhelming sadness. I want to be on that stage, I want to be part of this so badly. This is what I want to do. It was at that moment, those few moments before Dave came on stage, that I decided I was going to have a career in television.
Paul and the band were introduced and then the man of the hour came on stage. David Letterman was mere feet from me. He asked if anyone was from Indiana and the women I was speaking to earlier in line raised her hand. He called on her. She said she had come to New York to see him and to be a singer. They banter and he goes backstage. The show begins.
After the monologue, Dave brings the woman on stage to sing a song. She goes back to her seat and they Dave comes towards her, and hands her a canned ham. Dave is now inches from me. I am euphoric. On the tape of the show, you can actually see me stand a little in my seat. The woman is three seats to my left and I actually asked to hold the ham. She hands it to me; I am hugging the ham. And then I gave it back.
During the first commerical break, Inky the Cue Card Boy must have noticed my "highly admiring". He hands me a blue card Dave had tossed during the first act. I am beside myself. I am absolutely beside myself.
Tim Allen was a surprise guest for the top 10. Don Rickles was the first guest. Brendan Fraser was guest number 2. When Dave told the guests for the next night, he tossed his pencil into the camera. Inky hands me this as well. I honestly think I am going to combust. En Vogue was the musical guest. Dave says good night. As I'm walking out, Alan Kalter gave me the front page of the script. I hold my new momentos like one would hold the Hope Diamond or the original copy of the Constitution.
We head back to Connecticut having experienced one of the greatest days of my life.
I've seen Dave a handful of times since, the highlight coming three years later when I actually spoke to him. But nothing will compare to that first time, ten years ago today.
Quote of the Day:
"We do not remember days, we remember moments." -Cesare Pavese
It was the summer in between by freshman and sophmore year of college. I had gotten the tickets a couple of weeks before and was so excited. Touching the tickets was like touching gold. I hyperventilated. I was finally going to see my idol in person. Life was good.
Monday July 14, 1997. My Mom and I stayed with relatives and took the train in from Connecticut. I had been to New York once before when I was really young, but I didn't remember much if it. I loved New York instantly. I loved the energy and pace. We walked up W. 53rd Street and I vividly remember seeing the Ed Sullivan Theatre come into view on Broadway. I look to my right and see a Roy Rogers. I am home.
Mom and I go to the theatre and get our tickets numbered #13 and #14 (the ticketing system has since changed). We spent the rest of the day walking around and taking in the sights -- the NBC tour, 5th Avenue. But each minute passed was a minute closer to Dave.
Finally the time comes for us to return to the theatre and we stood in line. We struck up a conversation with a teacher from Indiana who had come specifically to see Dave. I was very much in my element. Everyone around me loving Dave as much as me. Everyone knowing how many guys in bear suits fit in a coffee shop (23). I've never been so happy.
We seemed to stand in line forever. But I was too busy looking around taking everything in. Finally, we are ushered into the theatre. Mom and I are put in the third row on the right, the first complete row so nobody is sitting in front of us. It was definitely as cold as the rumor says.
This is when the life-changing moment happened. The warm-up guy, Eddie Brill, comes out, but I don't concentrate on him. I'm on sensory overload taking absolutely everything in. I'm watching the camera guys, and the stage managers and the prop people, and I have a feeling of overwhelming sadness. I want to be on that stage, I want to be part of this so badly. This is what I want to do. It was at that moment, those few moments before Dave came on stage, that I decided I was going to have a career in television.
Paul and the band were introduced and then the man of the hour came on stage. David Letterman was mere feet from me. He asked if anyone was from Indiana and the women I was speaking to earlier in line raised her hand. He called on her. She said she had come to New York to see him and to be a singer. They banter and he goes backstage. The show begins.
After the monologue, Dave brings the woman on stage to sing a song. She goes back to her seat and they Dave comes towards her, and hands her a canned ham. Dave is now inches from me. I am euphoric. On the tape of the show, you can actually see me stand a little in my seat. The woman is three seats to my left and I actually asked to hold the ham. She hands it to me; I am hugging the ham. And then I gave it back.
During the first commerical break, Inky the Cue Card Boy must have noticed my "highly admiring". He hands me a blue card Dave had tossed during the first act. I am beside myself. I am absolutely beside myself.
Tim Allen was a surprise guest for the top 10. Don Rickles was the first guest. Brendan Fraser was guest number 2. When Dave told the guests for the next night, he tossed his pencil into the camera. Inky hands me this as well. I honestly think I am going to combust. En Vogue was the musical guest. Dave says good night. As I'm walking out, Alan Kalter gave me the front page of the script. I hold my new momentos like one would hold the Hope Diamond or the original copy of the Constitution.
We head back to Connecticut having experienced one of the greatest days of my life.
I've seen Dave a handful of times since, the highlight coming three years later when I actually spoke to him. But nothing will compare to that first time, ten years ago today.
Quote of the Day:
"We do not remember days, we remember moments." -Cesare Pavese
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
More Bling
There must be something in the water...
Congrats and much love to my friend Rick on his engagement to his girlfriend, Sarah. I am very happy for them both.
Quote of the Day:
"No profit grows where there is no pleasure ta'en." -William Shakespeare, "The Taming of the Shrew"
Congrats and much love to my friend Rick on his engagement to his girlfriend, Sarah. I am very happy for them both.
Quote of the Day:
"No profit grows where there is no pleasure ta'en." -William Shakespeare, "The Taming of the Shrew"
Monday, July 02, 2007
Angelina and Eartha and J
It's been an interesting couple of weeks. I am enjoying writing for "Cash Cab". It's definitely a challenge seeing as I am writing for "Cash Cab: After Dark". With "After Dark", I have to write questions that are "edgy". Topics include drinking, tattoos, goth, piercings and the hipster scene among others. This isn't exactly my forte, which makes the challenge all the more fun. The job goes for a couple more weeks.
Two weeks ago, Cheryl and I took advantage of her Writer's Guild membership and took in a free screening of "A Mighty Heart". To be honest, neither of us gave a hoot about the film. We were there to see a Q&A with Angelina Jolie and others from the cast. OK, we were hoping to catch a glimpse of Brad Pitt. When we got there, all cell phones with cameras and cameras had to be checked in. The movie was sad, and that was to be expected. Angelina came out and she is very striking. Very thin and definitely had a presence about her. The questions were par for the course. Alas, Brad was not there. Or if he was, we didn't see him. It was one of those events that could only happen in New York.
Last Monday I returned to Carnegie Hall. Erin and I went to Eartha Kitt's 80th birthday celebration. She may be 80, but she still has it going on. She was amazing and is truly a national treasure. Her duet of "Santa Baby" with LaChanze was a highlight, as was Ben Vereen's serenade of "My Funny Valentine". Tanya Pinkins was also there to celebrate. She's performing at the Carlyle in the fall and I just may have to go back and see her.
On Friday, I made a rare public outing with my friends to celebrate J's birthday. Seeing as I genuinely like him, I didn't have much of a choice. I departed before the real debauchery began, but stayed enough to have 2 Shirley Temples.
And finally, much love and congrats to John Chandler and his new bride Amanda. The Chandler's were married on Friday in Cape Cod. I wish them nothing but the best and happiness.
Quote of the Day:
"What we anticipate seldom occurs; what we least expected generally happens." -Benjamin Disraeli
Two weeks ago, Cheryl and I took advantage of her Writer's Guild membership and took in a free screening of "A Mighty Heart". To be honest, neither of us gave a hoot about the film. We were there to see a Q&A with Angelina Jolie and others from the cast. OK, we were hoping to catch a glimpse of Brad Pitt. When we got there, all cell phones with cameras and cameras had to be checked in. The movie was sad, and that was to be expected. Angelina came out and she is very striking. Very thin and definitely had a presence about her. The questions were par for the course. Alas, Brad was not there. Or if he was, we didn't see him. It was one of those events that could only happen in New York.
Last Monday I returned to Carnegie Hall. Erin and I went to Eartha Kitt's 80th birthday celebration. She may be 80, but she still has it going on. She was amazing and is truly a national treasure. Her duet of "Santa Baby" with LaChanze was a highlight, as was Ben Vereen's serenade of "My Funny Valentine". Tanya Pinkins was also there to celebrate. She's performing at the Carlyle in the fall and I just may have to go back and see her.
On Friday, I made a rare public outing with my friends to celebrate J's birthday. Seeing as I genuinely like him, I didn't have much of a choice. I departed before the real debauchery began, but stayed enough to have 2 Shirley Temples.
And finally, much love and congrats to John Chandler and his new bride Amanda. The Chandler's were married on Friday in Cape Cod. I wish them nothing but the best and happiness.
Quote of the Day:
"What we anticipate seldom occurs; what we least expected generally happens." -Benjamin Disraeli
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