Always Remember, Never Forget

The Twin Towers Tribute Lights

We all know what today is. So many people have written or talked about it over the years. 

September 11th, 2001 will never be forgotten. It's been 21 years and it's still remembered by so many. 

I know I've written many of these same thoughts on this blog over the last couple years, but I will do so again. 

I never met him, but I always think of Bobby Hughes, my cousin's cousin (too difficult to explain), who was working in the Twin Towers and lost his life that day. 

We watched the broadcast of the ceremony this morning where all the names of those lost are read, and the bells are rung. 

The six bell ringing signifies when the planes went into the Twin Towers, when the towers fell, when the plane went into the Pentagon and when the plane went down in the open field in Shanksville, PA. 

We saw Bobby's name flash on the screen. We then heard one of Bobby's sisters mention her brother later on in the ceremony as she was one of the readers of the names. 

We all have our memories of that day. Where we were. What we remember. 

I was six years old. I remember being in Ms. Kozlokowski's (Ms. K) first grade class at Riverfield School. We were in morning meeting when we first heard. 

Mrs. Breisler, one of the secretaries, came into the classroom to give Ms. K the news. I feel like there was an announcement made of school being dismissed early. 

The next part of the day I remember is getting out of school and being picked up by both my mom and dad. My dad normally would have been at work in Farmington, CT, but was out of work early, due to the circumstances. 

I don't remember much of the rest of the days or the days that followed. 

I do remember going to Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey in 2002 with Cub Scouts and standing on the observation deck and looking across the Hudson River at New York City and seeing the blue tribute lights where the towers stood. 

On days like today, I think about my Uncle Gary, who is now a retired Port Authority Police officer, who was part of the clean up and recovery at Ground Zero. I also think of my cousin, Kim, my Uncle's daughter, who is currently a Port Authority cop. 

I also think of those my Uncle worked with who lost their lives. I am currently wearing a t-shirt that lists the 37 PAPD members who lost their lives on 9/11. We of course think of everyone who lost their lives that day. 

No matter how great or how little we were directly impacted, the day and the events of the day have impacted all of us in the United States, and the impact is felt even more in the New York-Metro area. 

It's a significant day in our history. For people of my age, it's the first major US event we were alive for. It's our Pearl Harbor, as an example. It needs to be talked about. Students in school now need to be taught about it. 

Everyone talks about what the world was like on Sept. 12, 2001. When everyone cared for one another. Not that we ever want a situation like that again but we need to get back to that. The sense of community.  

I've probrly written more that I should have. Or more than I needed to. 

The bottom line....

We need to continue to honor those lost. We need to always remember. We need to Never Forget. 

Summer of Sports (What else would you expect)

Cubeta Stadium prior to Legion playoff game versus Stamford

So, the summer is basically over. I could have written this weeks ago, or I could wait to write this. It all depends on how you define the summer. Many people have unofficial ends of summer before the official end. 

With students back in Fairfield schools tomorrow, it sort of feels like this is the end of the summer. I was working all summer for the first time since working in the schools. Even if I hadn't been, I still would have been back to work a week and a half ago as a 10 1/2 month employee. I'm excited for the students to be back. It's too quiet around the building(s)without them all summer. 

It was a summer of work and watching baseball. A lot of baseball. 

I already wrote about the communications work I did for Fairfield American Legion baseball.

Legion bucket hat for the win. 

Towards the end of that, I wrote a feature for the Fairfield Citizen/Hearst on members of Legion and former Warde players, Phil and Edmund Hogan. 

In between Legion, I joined Rob Adams for some little league baseball at Unity Park in Trumbull. We (well, mostly Rob and I just tag along) were asked to do Fairfield National little league baseball. We called a couple of their district games before they were eliminated, including some against Fairfield American. 

How Rob tries to keep the equipment (and himself) out of the rain 

Rob also did a Babe Ruth Championship game at Unity then Rob and I watched some of Fairfield American and Trumbull little league. It was a little weird watching the game as a spectator from the outfield. I am always used to doing something during a game. I'm not going to lie, I am not good at just watching a game. 

Everyone knows my passion for Fairfield sports so it was tough when Rob and I were standing amongst the Trumbull fans. After a couple innings, I had to go over to the Fairfield side, where I also got to chat with a number of people I know. 

A week or so later, I joined Rob for the Babe Ruth baseball New England Regional tournament at Trumbull High School. Always a blast doing those tournaments even if I had to bounce in and out do to work and some other commitments, including Legion. 

Unofficially "Rob's Corner" of the Trumbull HS press box

One of the great things about these tournaments is the relationships we make with families, those working the tournament (who are often families of players) and even sometimes, getting to know the athletes a bit. I know Rob had a few interactions with a couple of them, 

There was a little more baseball I watched also. I went over to Kiwanis a couple times to watch the Fairfield Nationals 13U travel team play. In one of the times I saw them, they played the CT Rage (formerly Fairfield Rage) which has many Fairfield kids on it. I went in large part because Ludlowe baseball head coach Ken Geriak mentioned it, as he's a coach and his son Tyler is on the team. 

One of the coaches of the Nationals is Carl Pavano. Yes, Carl Pavano the former Yankees pitcher, among other teams. 

It was also another year of coaching Ludlowe's JV summer league basketball team. It's an hour a week summer league game, but the competitor in me takes it way too seriously. I have a blast doing it but I also realize the players don't get the most teaching out of it they might with others. I'm not going to be giving them plays offensively to run. I want them to play hard, play defense, move the ball offensively and work to get the best possessions possible. My biggest thing is subs, timeouts, and trying to be a positive influence. I did not expect to write this whole long paragraph about this either. 

Sure, other things went on this summer, but are they worth getting into. Probably not, for a number of reasons. It was a fun, exciting summer for some, and a tougher summer for others. Or for many others, it was an average summer. So many factors and also point of view. 

Good luck to all the 2022 high school grads who are off to college or other post-high school plans. 

Excited for another year of high school sports. Lots of fall sports, then winter and spring and I am excited for all of it. However, personally, I am always extra excited for Ludlowe basketball and Ludlowe baseball. 

Let the school year begin. 

43 Years

There have been a number of baseball related items I could have written about this week. From Yankees Old Timers Day, to the anniversary of Thurman Munson's passing, to Vin Scully passing away. For one reason or another, I did not. However, August 6 is a day I didn't feel like I could not write about. 

Sure, you can find similar things written elsewhere, but I wanted to, and felt I should write about this. 

August 6, 1979 is a day Yankee fans and baseball fans know. At least the older ones who were around. Then there are people like me who know and care about baseball history. I also watch so many old games and highlights of old games. 

This was the date of what many people call "The Bobby Murcer Game."

 It was an emotional week for the Yankees with captain Thurman being killed in a plane crash on August 2. 

The Yankees honored Munson on August 3 with a pre-game ceremony. 

August 6 was the funeral for Munson, where Murcer was one of the eulogists of his friend. Murcer was one of two eulogists (2:25 of clip), along with Yankee teammate Lou Pinella (12:15 of clip). 

Murcer's famous line from his eulogy was "Thurman Munson wore the pinstripes as number 15, but in living, loving, and legend, history will forever remember my friend as number one."

That night, the Yankees were scheduled to play the Baltimore Orioles. There was a chance the Yankees were going to forfeit the game if they didn't get back from the funeral in time. However, they played. Diana Munson, Thurman's widow, told Yankees owner George Steinbrenner that they should play, that Thurman would want that. 

Manager Billy Martin was going to give Murcer the day off, but Murcer insisted on playing. He said he needed to play. 

He did not only play, he had a big game. He drove in all five runs, in a 5-4 Yankees win. 

In the seventh, down 4-0, Bobby lined a three-run home run to right field to cut the deficit to one. 

The game remained 4-3 into the bottom of the ninth. With the tying run at third and the winning run at second, Bobby stepped up to the plate. 

And delivered. 

Bobby lined a ball down the left field line off of Orioles pitcher Tippy Martinez that scored Bucky Dent to tie the game and Willie Randolph crossed the plate with the winning run. 

Bobby talked about how he never used the bat he used in that game ever again. He gave it to Diana Munson,

August 6, 2008 was also the day of Murcer's memorial service, after he passed away on July 12 of that year. 

Bobby wasn't the greatest Yankee, but in a time of tragedy, this might have been Bobby's greatest Yankee moment. 

I hope you will reach and watch more about both Thurman and Bobby. I know I will be today. 

Here's the full game from August 6, 1979. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Howard Cosell is on the call of the game for ABC, along with Keith Jackson. I have a liking for Howard because my uncle has called me that. However, when we talk about crowd noise, Cosell does not go by that. He honestly talks way too much as he is making the call on the game winner. In a week in which we have honored Vin Scully, be like Vin. Call the play and then be quiet. 

Legion Communications

For the second summer in a row, I was involved with Fairfield American Legion baseball as the communications director. 

What does that fancy title really entail? Well, handling social media including Twitter, Instagram, as well as doing GameChanger for the games, and then writing story recaps on a Blogger site that I created for Fairfield Legion. I've also sent my recaps in to Sean Barker of Hearst for publication in their chain, per the suggestion of Fairfield Legion General Manager Sars Ford. 

In terms of GameChanger, the last two summers are the first time I have used it. I am still a paper scorebook person, however, I see a lot of advantages of it. There are also some disadvantages, like some scoring decisions are tough to mark, as there don't appear to be unlimited options. It also is always running so drains phone battery and it's tough to Tweet, take photos and pretty much do anything else while doing GC. One major advantage is the detailed statistics it gives you automatically.  

In addition, I am currently working on a feature article related to a couple players. 

Sure, were there things I wish I did better or more of, yes. There were other things that we didn't do at all, that I wish we did. There are many items for me to think about to improve the public relations and promotion of the program going forward. 

The Senior (19U) team finished the regular season with an 11-10 record. They then entered the double-elimination state tournament by facing Hamden. They defeated Hamden 2-1 in 10 innings in the opening game of the tournament. They fell the next day to Greenwich in nine innings, 5-4. They would head back to Hamden facing elimination and their season came to a close with a 6-2 loss in the semifinals of the POD portion of the state tournament. 

The Junior (17U) team ended the regular season at 7-16. They then dropped back-to-back games to Stamford to conclude their season. 

It was fun getting to know a lot of people who I didn't know before (Warde and Prep students) and watch them play and watch the Ludlowe players I know more. There's too many guys to name without forgetting someone, but they are all great kids with bright futures. For those I coach at Ludlowe, I can't wait until the spring season to coach you. For those at Warde or Prep (or elsewhere, I think there's at least one), I look forward to coaching against you. And Ludlowe and Warde guys, stop by my office at the schools and say hi every now and then. 

It was also good to chat with some parents, the little bit I was able to. Lots of great parents supporting their children. 

Thank you to all the coaches for having me a part of it and for all your help. Chris Bugyi, Jim Chaves, Mark Keeney, Ethan Szabo and John Finan. Thanks to the aforementioned Sars Ford as well. There were other staff members who were helpful also and I enjoyed talking baseball with. 

Lots of fun to watch and cover baseball and summer and be a part of the program. 

Wild Weekend of Sports

The field at Trumbull HS from the press box through the chain-linked backstop

We always say, you have to be crazy to do what you do in broadcasting, journalism and in a lot of sports coverage. 

Well, this weekend was a crazy one that consisted of Babe Ruth baseball, American Legion baseball, and some summer league basketball. The heat was a major factor of the weekend. It was also a weekend of a lot of driving. Well, let's be honest. That's all relative, as we know I don't drive a lot, so any driving is a lot for me. 

It began back on Thursday, with the banquet that preceded the 13U Babe Ruth baseball tournament hosted by Trumbull Babe Ruth. Thanks to Rob Adams and Mike Buswell for inviting me to the banquet, as I would be joining Rob for some of the baseball over the weekend. 

Rob did a great job as one of the speakers at the banquet. You can hear his speech here.

Then we move to Friday. After leaving work, I joined Rob for the third game of four of day one at Trumbull High School for Babe Ruth. 

I was only able to stay for a portion of the game as I had to make my way to Bridgeport to coach a Ludlowe summer league basketball game. 

After that game ended, I headed back to Trumbull to re-join Rob for the final game of the day. In that final game, we saw the host Trumbull walk-off North Providence-Smithfield, Rhode Island 3-2 in eight innings. 

In was back to Trumbull High for four games on Saturday. None of the games were great score wise, but Rob and I had fun as always, and we had a good time with the people in the booth, most of those part of Trumbull Babe Ruth (parents, etc). 

On Sunday, it was back to Trumbull High School. There were four more games to be played. These would be the final games of pool play. I joined Rob for the majority of game one, as we saw Zac Trolland of Waterford take a no-hitter into the sixth inning and ultimately, throw a two-hit complete game as Waterford beat Quincy, Mass (apparently pronounced "Quinzy". Who knew? Not me) 3-1. Just a tremendous performance. 

I had to leave this game after six innings. Honestly, as the no-hitter was happening, I thought to myself how tough it would be to leave if the no-hitter was still happening. In the end, I saw the hit that broke up the no-hitter, so I didn't have to worry. I'm sure, somewhere, someone is blaming me for thinking about the no-hitter. 

I had to get down to Cubeta Stadium at Scalzi Park in Stamford for Legion baseball. Fairfield's 17U team was playing Stamford in an elimination game of the state tournament. 

I had thought that the game started at 1pm as that is what the website said. I left Trumbull at 11:45 figuring I'd give myself plenty of time to get there, get lineups and get settled in. When I got there, Fairfield was just finishing infield/outfield warmups. Then I learn that the game was changed to 12:30pm. 

See, people. This is why I get everywhere early. People pick on me for getting places too early (which I often do), but you never know what is going to happen. I was still able to get everything set, I just did not have the time I normally do. 

After Stamford won of Friday, Fairfield would need to win game one to force a winner-take-all game later Sunday afternoon. Stamford took game one, 13-3 in five innings to advance to the Super Regional and end Fairfield's season. 

After the game ended and after talking to a few people, it was back up to Trumbull. It was around 2:30 as I texted Rob to say I was leaving. I was thinking I'd be up there around 3:00, 3:15 at the latest. 

Well, of course there was traffic on The Merritt. It was closer to 3:30 when I pulled into the Dunkin Donuts parking lot on White Plains Road in Trumbull to grab Rob a coffee and myself a drink. I was unsure what I wanted but I knew I needed something cold and that would give me some energy. It was hot outside. I ended up with a Mango Pineapple refresher. It wasn't bad. 

I then made my way over to Trumbull High School by 3:40 for the 4pm game, which started a little late, which selfishly was helpful for me. Then, we had Trumbull playing Pittsfield, Mass at 7pm on Sunday night, in the final game of Pool Play. 

I think we all agreed that this was the premier game of the pool play, even coming into the game. Pittsfield came away with the victory in a crazy game, by a 17-10 score. 

We dealt with some rain during the weekend that delayed a portion of one of the games. Because why wouldn't we. I know Rob dealt with a couple of rain delays today for the games that were played. 

Oh and I am also apparently the VP of Statistics and Ginger Ale for Robcasting Radio. Or at least that's what Rob said. 

Fun, long weekend, that likely ended my summer of sports covering sports. At least for games I am at. A summer that included Legion baseball, little league baseball, Babe Ruth baseball and HS summer league basketball. Still some summer hoops coaching and some more writing before we get going with fall high school sports and more.  

Listen to Rob call the semifinals on Tuesday at 10am and 1pm and the Championship on Wednesday 10am at Robcasting.Mixlr.com. 

Missing Bobby

Bobby Murcer, former Yankee player and broadcaster, gone 14 years ago today. 

Bobby passed away on July 12, 2008, after battling brain cancer since December. 

I remember being at a family party. The party was outside in the yard but the game was on inside the house. I walked in when Bob Lorenz was announcing Bobby's passing on the post game show on the Yes Network following the Yankees game. 

There was reaction from many people, including, then-manager Joe Girardi, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, Any Pettitte and Jason Giambi. 

I remember walking back out to the party and telling my dad and other family and friends. 

I've written about Bobby here before. 

He was a very good player, playing for the Yankees, as well as the Giants and Cubs. As is the name of his autobiography, he considered himself a "Yankee for Life." 

He was touted as "the next Mickey Mantle" and while he wasn't that, he deserves more recognition that he gets. He was one of a few stars during a bad stretch of Yankees baseball. 

Some highlight games include "The Thurman Munson game" in 1979 and his pinch-hit grand slam against Texas in 1981. 

Most people think about the game in '79 when after Murcer gave a eulogy at Munson's funeral, he told Billy Martin he needed to play. Not only did he play, but he drove in all five runs including a three-run home run and a walk-off two-run single. 

From his broadcasting side, he did games on PIX11, WNYW, and the YES Network. I always think of him with Michael Kay and Jim Kaat on the July 1, 2004 game vs the Red Sox. 

This game is better known as the "Jeter Dive" game where Jeter caught Trot Nixon's pop-up in shallow left field and his momentum took him into the stands. The game ended on John Flaherty's walk-off single.  

Bobby broadcasted from the day George Steinbrenner asked him to retire in 1983 (so the Yankees could bring up Don Mattingly) through basically the 2007 season as he was battling cancer. 

People always ask me why and how I got into liking Bobby, considering I never saw him play. Honestly, I'm not really sure. I enjoyed listening to him broadcast and he was a staple at Old Timers Day. 

I don't really remember when or how I got into liking him and then researching about him. I remember in Middle School doing a project on him but that was after he had passed away. 

I listened to him broadcast some games towards the end of his career, but more of the calls I have listened to are on Yankees Classics, or highlights online. 

I wish Bobby got the recognition he deserves publicly, but I am always happy to recognize and remember him. 

Fairfield Little League Baseball

Watching though the wind screen because we always make it work and respect space where we are guests.  

Little League baseball was back on Robcasting Radio on Tuesday. 

I was honored to join my friend Rob Adams for Fairfield National and Fairfield American in the final game of district two pool play at Unity Park in Trumbull. 

Fairfield National asked Rob to broadcast it, and well, it's Fairfield related, so I'll often be there. 

We all know how much I love sports involving Fairfield, so a all-Fairfield matchup is very enjoyable. #OneTown 

We have done little league broadcasting for Fairfield American three times, 2018, 2019 and 2020. We also did some National in 2020 after they won district two over American. 

It's been a blast every time. So great getting to know the players, coaches and families. 

Tonight, American came out of top 12-2. Both teams will be playing in the double elimination portion of the district two tournament beginning Friday at Unity. Rob will be back on Friday when National plays Trumbull at 7:30pm. Listen on Robcasting Radio. 

We had to watch the game tonight through the wind screen. We made it work. Like always. We can see enough and Rob was able to look though where two pieces of the wind screen were zip tied to the fence. 

It rained off and on at points in the game, but Rob is prepared and brought a pod to keep the equipment dry. He also had a tarp to keep the power strip hopefully dry. Safety is no accident, you know. #Preparation 

Sure, we got a little wet, but that was fine. Knowing the equipment was dry and safe, the only other real issue was keeping our scorecards as dry and possible so we could: 1) Read what they said and 2) continue to write what was happening; I gave up on my scorecard with an inning to go, to be honest. It was a losing cause. 

Rob trying to keep his scorecard dry. 

I'll be bouncing between a number of things this summer, including little league when I can. My main priority will be the communications work for Fairfield American Legion baseball I am doing. I've also got some basketball coaching. 

After Legion, it's somewhat wide open, little league baseball, Babe Ruth baseball, AAU baseball, anything else I can think of. Basically, if Rob is there, there's a decent chance I will be there at some point if I can. And even things Rob isn't at, I'll go watch and/or cover in some way. 

I also want to watch as many of the Ludlowe baseball guys as I can who are playing on various teams this summer. I'm always going to support those guys especially, as well as all the others playing. 

Here is the full broadcast from tonight.