Roy Exum: Two Catchers & ‘Shaq’

  • Thursday, March 30, 2017
  • Roy Exum
Roy Exum
Roy Exum

Kids whose parents are active members in the military were special guests of the New York Yankees when they played the Tampa Bay Rays in an exhibition game last Sunday in Tampa. The Yankees had even arranged for taped videos so some of the kids could watch with the rest of the crowd as their parents told how much they missed them on the Jumbotron. Both the kids and the fans ate it up, the Yankees and Rays players loving it most of all.

Daniel Gomez, 10, and his sister Isabella, 5, have both parents deployed. Their dad Jose, a senior chief, has been in Kuwait, while their mom, Elizabeth, a captain, is in Iraq. The children, who normally live with their parents in Houston, are staying with their grandparents in Tampa so when it was announced “military brats” get in free, they talked their grandfather into seeing if he could get tickets.

No problem, responded the Yankees’ organization. But after Miguel – a 24-year-Army veteran himself – mentioned both of the children’s parents were deployed, a Yankees official called back a few days later. “Would one of the children like to throw out the first ball?” Daniel was told to start practicing.

Then came the second call. “This isn’t fair. We’ll get two catchers dressed so Isabella can throw at the same time.” The grandfather laughed, fearful that Isabella didn’t have enough arm. “Don’t worry … this way she’ll get a first-pitch souvenir, too,” the Yankees’ lady promised.

Minutes before the first pitch, both children were in the dugout to watch both parents wish them the best on the Jumbotron and then the two catchers trotted out, settled side by side in a crouch fully decked out, wearing face masks, chest protectors and shin guards. Daniel let his ball fly and it made it to the mitt.

Isabella predictably skipped her try, the catcher scooping it up and running to bring her the ball. Isabella’s catcher took off the face mask – it was their mom. The other catcher took off his – it was their dad. All of those in Steinbrenner Stadium went nuts when the prank was revealed.

After the game, Daniel apologized for bawling like a baby. The Yankee players, the Tampa Bay players, and everybody else in the park who stood for a lengthy ovation didn’t feel like they needed to apologize for anything. After all, happy tears are cleansing.

* * *

SHAQUILLE O’NEAL DOES IT AGAIN

In January a five-year-old girl in Atlanta, Syrai Sanders, and six-year-old Logan Braatz were attacked by dogs as they walked to the school bus. Logan died and, after two months in the hospital, Syrai was able to return home this week.

“Not so fast, young lady!” The gigantic former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal has “gotten involved” in the child’s recovery and had Syrai and her family meet him at Rooms-To-Go in Atlanta. There Syrai picked out a beautiful bedroom suite and some other items for her house and the former LSU All-American picked up the tab.

Dale Brown, who has always been in awe of O’Neal, was not surprised in the least. In the 18th century John Wesley said, ‘Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.’

“Shaq played in many large arenas during his basketball career but none were as large as his heart. I know of so many kind acts of charity that he did but he kept them private. His parents did a remarkable job of teaching him that if you want to get more out of life, you have to give more to life,” said his former college coach.

“Martin Luther King said, ‘An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of humanity.’ Shaquille has followed that advice perfectly.”

Incidentally, the Los Angeles Lakers just unveiled a statue of O’Neal last week and it may be the best in the history of sports. The statue, outside the Staples  Center, weighs 1,200 pounds and the nine-foot image is of ‘Shaq’ dunking the ball. It hangs about 15 feet above the sidewalk.

* * *

EVERY ONE IS A WINNER

I am the biggest opponent of “participation trophies” in sports. I believe you have to earn accolades instead of trying to cheapen life with “politically correct” nonsense. On the other hand, you don’t get to be a finalist in the Chamber of Commerce “Small Business Awards” by writing a check. Trust me, you earn getting your company in the mix.

As I hail the winners at Wednesday’s luncheon, pay close attention to the others on the list because each deserves our praise … and our business.

CATEGORY ONE: 1-20 Employees: Winner – Skye Strategies; Tied for First Runner Up: 6 STRONG MEDIA and Flywheel Brands, Inc.

CATEGORY TWO: 21-50 Employees: Winner -- Creswell Richardson; Tied for First Runner-up: Flying Squirrel Restaurant/Bar, and JHM Certified Public Accountants

CATEGORY THREE: 51-200 Employees: Winner – Traco Logistics; Tied for First Runner-up: Kelly Auto Group. And MediTract

NON PROFIT CATEGORY – Winner: CADAS (Council for Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services); Tied for First Runner-up: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga, and Siskin Children's Institute

royexum@aol.com

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