Happy Birthday Sir

When I received the phone call

I didn't think twice

I loved the game

I lived the game

I breathed the game

Then came time to meet this ragamuffin group

those boys who had big hopes and

big dreams

Of the

M

L

B

What a gang it was.

From "Nuts"

to "Salad Shooter"

I think we had every genre covered.

Smokin' Joe tried his best to bring

something from nothing

until

he handed the reins over to me.

Who was I?

A skinny newlywed

with a baby on the way,

due pretty much any day.

What did I know?

I honestly didn't know much.

But I saw a few bright sparkles

amongst a crowd of boys

some, who didn't care one bit,

whether they were there or not.

One of those areas of sunshine

was a fine lad.

Wasn't blessed with the physique

of that of a future hall of famer.

Heck, he'd be hard pressed to

make it to Varsity level

with that set of shoulders he was sporting.

But where he lacked in

physical stature

he made up for plenty

in the brains department.

This kid knew more about the game

than the head coach.

His work ethic was superb.

His knowledge was outstanding.

I chose him to be most improved

even though, I considered myself most improved

because he improved me.

The years marched on... the baby on it's way

turned into four... But

...that friendship, that relationship that was birthed

on the dirt infield of the Junior Varsity Baseball field

of Bullock Creek High School... well, it was something different.

He still calls me 'Coach' occasionally, not as often as he used to...

...but that's ok. That's fine with me.

Because I'm no longer his coach...

We're brothers.

Never once in a million years did I ever think

that that scrappy second baseman, the one who really truly

wanted to play third, would ever teach me so much about life.

I'm just so glad that he has,

that he is and

that he will continue to.

Dennis, sir, I love you.

I thank you for the man that you are to me.

I can only hope to someday repay you for all that you've done.