My Main Man is 18 Today.

Seven years ago today, we got up at 3:30 in the morning from our hotel in Chicago, packed up the car with the family, and drove all the way to Cincinnati to catch a Noon game between the Cubs and the Reds.  It was a hot and muggy day in Cincy, but we had great seats down the left field line and we celebrated his 11th birthday.

Since then, Michael has finished grade school, started and finished high school, played hundreds of baseball games for his club and school teams, came within an eyelash of winning a state high school baseball championship, and has turned into one of the finest young men a dad could ever hope to have raised.  In less than three months, Michael will be leaving for Northern Arizona Univ. for college.  It will be tough not to see him everyday and see his empty room.  But seeing the hats and baseballs we collected on our baseball trip that are still hanging on the walls in his room will always put a smile on my face and remind me how much fun it was spending over seven weeks with him on our big baseball adventure.

Happy 18th Birthday to you Michael.

Love always,

Dad

May 5th, 2018 - Michael Played His Last Baseball Game Today

I've seen Michael play over 500 baseball games in the last 12 years.  Maybe none was more heartbreaking than today when his Seton Catholic High School baseball team lost to St. Mary's 9-7 and was eliminated from the 4A AZ State Championship Tournament.  They made it to the final six teams and came up just short.  Seton was expected to win and get one more shot at Catalina Foothills - the team that had beaten them a few days ago - for the right to play in the championship game.  But it didn't happen.  Michael had a great senior year and finished  with a .387 average.  He made Second Team All-Region and was a three year starter on the varsity at third base.  He played so well during the playoffs and made me even prouder than I normally am.

He's officially done with organized baseball.  It's sad for me knowing that the days of watching him play may be over.  But I've had the best seat in the house watching him play and grow up into a fine young man.  I hope to be around and see him enjoy baseball with his son(s) as much as I enjoyed it with him.

Michael's Final Hit of His Career