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Gerhig John Neshak

infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
What sadness and tragedy for his parents to lose their young son after 23 hours of life. This is so difficult. To try and comprehend the emptiness is just not possible. I had those feelings rushing through my body as I bounced our new Grandson in my arms while watching the Tigers/A's on Saturday.
Last Saturday night, for 2/3's of an inning, Gerhig's father, Pat Neshak, returned to a mound that must have felt so foreign and so comforting, at the same time. He was overwhelmed with emotion, on the edge of tears, trying to do his job for himself, his wife, his team and, I expect, for Gerhig.
In the Bay Area, we truly are lucky to have a writer such as Bruce Jenkins. On Sunday, he wrote this amazing article on Pat Neshak's pitching in that game on Saturday and what it meant to his teammates and his manager, and how they rallied to support Pat and his wife.
Inside a "game," real life and real tragedy combine, and remarkable examples of courage and kindness get created. "There are many levels of triumph."
God bless Gerhig John Neshak

http://www.sfgate.com/athletic...was-more-3925799.php

'You don't have to be a great player to play in the major leagues, you've got to be a good one every day.'

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ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
That was great writing no doubt and very emotional to read that.

Look, we can always say there are more important things than baseball as this writer suggested but I am convinced that baseball is more important than we give it credit sometimes and this story is proof of what I am saying.

It clearly allowed this young man to receive a little bit of sunshine through the overwhelming clouds of grief. Moreover, we don't say that other forms of entertainment are less important during times of grief. In fact, we often comment how a great song or scene from a movie can help with the healing process.

I liked everything about this article and the underlying story but I don't think he needed to make the point that there were other triumphs than winning on the field - that was apparent. I think it was evident that the game and the mostly great people involved with it provided some relief from pain.
infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
CD,
I don't come down on the opposite side of too many baseball items and discussions with you, but this is one where I do.
Perhaps it was because I was bouncing my new Grandson in my arms. Perhaps it was because of the distant loss of a coach of our son. Perhaps it was/is both. Perhaps it is because I so much enjoy the writing and insights of Bruce Jenkins into the game behind/beyond the game.
But really, all I wanted to do was pay some tribute to Gerhig John Neshak and his parents and Father and the teammates and manager who held them and him.
Last edited by infielddad
ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
No disagreement with what you have said or your feelings infielddad.

I should have been more specific as to my feelings. Bruce Jenkins is no doubt a fine writer. I think he lessened the impact of his very fine piece with the last paragraph of the story. It came across to me as a form of sour grapes. If the A's would have won, I can almost guarantee that last paragraph would have been written differently. Therefore, imho, he should have left it out and the story would have been perfect. Either way, it was a gripping story and mostly well-written. As friends, we can hopefully agree to disagree on my take on the last paragraph however.
quote:
In the clubhouse aftermath, Verlander and the Tigers got the usual lame questions about "how important" it was to win the opener. Of course, it was important. The series could just as easily take a 180-degree turn in Game 2. Something concrete was learned in the A's clubhouse, though, something they won't soon forget. There are many levels of triumph.

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