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26 replies

A sad day

rz1rz15,000+ posts
Today, my son left the Northern tundra on his quest to the pinstripes evil empire in Tampa. I already feel lost.

This last Fall was the first time since he graduated HS I was able to spend some extended quality time with my best friend. We spent the Fall golfing together, he landscaped the back yard, We watched UW and Packer games together, he painted the house interior. We worked out together, he did my Xmas shopping for me. We spent late nights together shooting the shet about his baseball experiences, he shoveled the snow. We cooked some of the most exotic recipes the internet has to offer together, he kept his mother off my back. Boy, do I miss him already

It's a sad day that I hope everyone here gets to experience at some point in your life whether baseball is part of it or not. It was a closing of a book that convinced me that the young man who I watched leave for college five years ago had entered full manhood while still chasing that dream with the same passion he did 15 years ago.

How can feeling so bad, feel so good?
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ShepsterShepster1,000+ posts
RZ

Sounds like you guys have bonded well. That's important because having someone to talk with during the season will be vital during the ups and downs. A professional baseball season is extremely long.

Look on the brighter side Smile you'll get to see him soon in a NYY pinstripe uniform pitching against the top hitters in the country in the tropics. That in itself, is an accomplishment millions will never achieve. Your son will pitch in the bigs.

Best Regards RZ,
Shep
Last edited by Shepster
LB L8 Breaking100+ posts
it's funny how being a parent changes our perspective a little, huh? remember being their age and embarking on all those new and exciting milestones.....going away to college, starting you first real job, getting married, etc.

i don't think i ever really gave much thought through my excitement about what my parents were going through!

rz, you're son is living a dream and i'm sure you couldn't be prouder, but if tonight you want to curl up and watch those little league videos we all understand......
rz1rz15,000+ posts
quote:
Soon you'll be reporting back from Tampa?

3/17 - 3/24 I'll be sitting either poolside at my buddies house, catching various mlb st sites in the area, or late afternoon sitting at a Clearwater Beach saloon watching guys with metal detectors picking up the pennies we stratigically buried on the beach Big Grin.

As far as the my original post is concerned. I didn't want to make it sound "sappy" because IMHO it is one of the best feelings a parent can have. A sucessful end to one of lifes most challenging tasks. In our case we've raised our kids to independent from day 1. I remember their first day of kindegarden we got a call from the teacher asking why we packed a weeks worth of clothes and food in their backpack .

My main regret of him heading out this year is that he dwindled down my "honey do" list to a managable levlel. I have til Sept to build that back up.
Last edited by rz1
L lodi14100+ posts
I am fortunate to say I got to meet RZ1 and Ryan over the coarse of this winter.I was able to watch Ryan throw bullpens with a college team a couple of times and he got to throw to live hitting in one of the schools scrimmages. I have to say it was a man among boys situation. RZ I have no doubt he is ready for Tampa eventhough he might have something different say about it. Anyway enjoy your trip and dont forget to keep me posted while your gone.
floridafanfloridafan5,000+ posts
Hey RZ1,

It does sound like you have an awesome relationship with your young man. Isn't baseball great? Didn't it provide hours, weeks and years of close contact with your son as he grew up? Folks outside of the game have a hard time understanding just how close we can become to our sons as we continue our journey.

So many fathers lose track of their sons and become cut off from their sons as their sons grow through their teenage years and mature and move away.

Baseball has created a bond between my son and I and probably for most of the dads on this board.

Congratulations RZ1 on your son’s accomplishments, they are tremendous. And Tampa is a great town, come on down and visit! I hope to be cheering for your son in the not too distant future, we love those pinstripes and think our guy would look good in them too!
rz1rz15,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by floridafan:
So many fathers lose track of their sons and become cut off from their sons as their sons grow through their teenage years and mature and move away.

Baseball has created a bond between my son and I and probably for most of the dads on this board.

And we should never forget about the moms in that regard. If your situations are much like mine, it is a proven fact that men are not the "sharpest knife in the drawer" when it comes to compassion and social skills. My wife, who claims she was a "tomboy" because she once climbed a tree, ingrained those "off the field" skills to my son and at the same time my son taught her that sports/baseball could also have a redeeming value in her life. The infusion of those traits into an athletes make-up IMHO is the backbone of a successful kid. It also makes it easier for moms to accept those baseball excuses, and get a feel for baseball through the eyes of a player. I do know that she added to her vocabulary through her baseball experiences
Last edited by rz1
KC K Complex100+ posts
HEY rZ

When he gets to Yankee Stadium, I will volunteer to use his comp tickets and send you updates on his general well being! Big Grin

Being a devoted Mets fan, this is an extreme act of kindness on my part!- but what the heck!- good seats for free can sway me! Smile

I know how you feel about your buddy leaving though.
Son asked me on Saturday to have a catch, at first I declined as I was tired- then I realized next year those little joys are done when he heads off to college and the house is empty of kids. I said 'grab your glove, and lets enjoy a little throwing son" Wink
P powertoallfields1,000+ posts
quote:
My main regret of him heading out this year is that he dwindled down my "honey do" list to a managable levlel. I have til Sept to build that back up.




I was wondering how that got missed from your original post, LOL! I was thinking, "Man! I wish I could get mine to do all that stuff!" I'd be sad to see him go too!

Seriously though, I hope he has a great Spring and Season!

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