Wrapping It Up, With Emotion

The Stars wrap up their season-opening 10-game homestand tonight with the annual Little League Opening Night ceremonies in which area youngsters have the opportunity to come to the ballpark in uniform and walk around Joe Davis Stadium and, maybe even dream about what it might be like to play here one day. I think we all started dreaming of playing in the big leagues when we first took to the field as youngsters and, although, I was never good enough to do that, I do feel very fortunate to have the chance to become a broadcaster and watch and get to know many future big leaguers.

Huntsville has won each of its' last four games in its' last at-bat, the last three in the ninth inning and the first, on Tuesday night, in the 13th. All four of the wins have been comeback victories and all four have been by one run, made even more impactful after the team started the season dropping four of five to Mobile and were shut down offensively by the BayBears, who got great starting pitching and fine work from the bullpen.

On a personal note, this is a very emotional day for me with the Phillies honoring their legendary announcer Harry Kalas, who was the inspiration for me to get into the broadcasting business. I consider myself exceedingly fortunate to have not only grown up listenting to him during the Golden Era of Phillies baseball but to also have met him early in my career and told him that HE WAS THE REASON FOR ME CHOOSING THIS PROFESSION. I worked in double-A baseball for six years in El Paso, TX and was also fortunate to interview him three different times over the phone while doing a pre-game sports talk show, including once shortly after he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. It truly is amazing to see the outpouring of emotion for someone on the surface who was a baseball broadcaster, but really so much more. As Governer Rendell so aptly put it, "he was always there." That is the beauty of baseball throughout the long, six month season, during wins and losses, ups and downs and wherever you may be tuned in, the voice of the team is always there.

As only he could do it..."outta here!!"