You know at the end of all the classic Woody Allen movies, where his character freaks out about the point of living until he thinks of the Marx Brothers and finds hope? That's kind of how I feel whenever I remember Wilbur Wood.
Also the last pitcher to start both ends of a DH. Something I think will probably not happen again, although i could see a team using the same opener to start both ends of a DH. (of course that isn't exactly the same thing)
Joe, obviously we can't predict the future, but it can get even better. Our daughter-in-law was pregnant with their second child, and granddaughter one had said all along that she knew it was going to be a boy and she wanted a brother (and for reasons I won't get into, this was going to be her only sibling). Contractions came and the whole family had dinner with us, leaving granddaughter behind until the baby came, which turned out to be quick with no complications. When granddaughter woke up in the morning (she was three and a half), it fell to me to tell her "you have a sister, and her name is [her name]." And I was greeted with the largest smile I've ever seen. A photo of the four of them in the hospital when visiting hours began a few hours later is still on the wall in our bedroom and she stands over her sister with a pure possessive and loving look on her face, a feeling that has continued in the subsequent two and a half years. But that moment, when I was naturally worried she'd show disappointment she didn't have a brother but instead got greeted with such happiness, is probably my favorite moment of my life. Everything that came before it, from meeting my wife to having our son to his wedding and to the first granddaughter's birth, was predicate to her being so open to loving the child who came instead of the one she had on her wish list. There may be better to come, but as we say at Pesach, dayenu.
My nephew has 2 daughters, the younger sister of the 2 absolutely worships her older sister, the younger one might be tired and grumpy but as soon as her sister appears she’s back to being full of life and following her hero everywhere, it’s adorable now while they’re 5 and 2 but I worry what will happen in a few years when the older one is too cool to spend time with her sister because I don’t see the worship dropping off anytime soon
For you, there is a song that I saw as the Father Daughter dance at a wedding recently. I don't even have kids, and it made me tear up and have to wipe my eyes.
It is called "Letting You Go" by Jason Isbell and the 400 unit. I have been to many weddings in my life, but haven't heard a song so apt for the occasion.
Per Miss Manners, one congratulates the prospective groom because (as Joe implies) he is the lucky one. One may also congratulate the parents. But one sends "best wishes" to the prospective bride.
I didn't know that. Perhaps I just congratulated Elizabeth because though I have never met her and never will, I feel a bit as if I know her a little through Joe's writing.
I am sure that in this case, the groom is the lucky one. I know that has been the case for me.
These young, injury-prone pitchers these days could take a lesson from Lolich and Wood about how to stay in peak physical condition to remain durable. Young guys just don't want to work that hard, I guess.
Congratulations Joe ! As for the Bears, I believe they made the right decision for th PAT. Being a lifelong Browns fan, and AFC North person, weird things happen, late in close games, on the Tries.
Saw the Bills game, ashame they lost. I'm not surprised by the firing ... either.
As a Sox fan in my youth, I loved Wilbur Wood. One piece of trivia not mentioned in the blog or the commentsis that Wilbur was the last pitcher to start both games of a doubleheader. I could Google it to get the year and the games, etc. but you can do that too. He didn’t do very well but good grief it was probably back in the pre-1900 that had been tried last.
RIP Wilbur Wood. I remember his 70s Topps cards - awesome-looking cards!
I hope the Sox have a moment of silence for him on Opening Day. Steve Stone probably has some really good stories about him.
Sorry, Bears fans - I thought the Pope effect was in full gear last night. I was rooting for them against the hated Rams (native St. Louisian writing).
Agreed on Bears going for 2 after that circus play......would be fascinating and would have fit the moment---but wouldn't have been wise.
Congratulations!
CWilliams. All season the Bears won despite him. It could only last so long.
You know at the end of all the classic Woody Allen movies, where his character freaks out about the point of living until he thinks of the Marx Brothers and finds hope? That's kind of how I feel whenever I remember Wilbur Wood.
Also the last pitcher to start both ends of a DH. Something I think will probably not happen again, although i could see a team using the same opener to start both ends of a DH. (of course that isn't exactly the same thing)
Joe! Congrats! So amazing and very happy for you and your family.
Mazel Tov on the engagement!
Joe, obviously we can't predict the future, but it can get even better. Our daughter-in-law was pregnant with their second child, and granddaughter one had said all along that she knew it was going to be a boy and she wanted a brother (and for reasons I won't get into, this was going to be her only sibling). Contractions came and the whole family had dinner with us, leaving granddaughter behind until the baby came, which turned out to be quick with no complications. When granddaughter woke up in the morning (she was three and a half), it fell to me to tell her "you have a sister, and her name is [her name]." And I was greeted with the largest smile I've ever seen. A photo of the four of them in the hospital when visiting hours began a few hours later is still on the wall in our bedroom and she stands over her sister with a pure possessive and loving look on her face, a feeling that has continued in the subsequent two and a half years. But that moment, when I was naturally worried she'd show disappointment she didn't have a brother but instead got greeted with such happiness, is probably my favorite moment of my life. Everything that came before it, from meeting my wife to having our son to his wedding and to the first granddaughter's birth, was predicate to her being so open to loving the child who came instead of the one she had on her wish list. There may be better to come, but as we say at Pesach, dayenu.
My nephew has 2 daughters, the younger sister of the 2 absolutely worships her older sister, the younger one might be tired and grumpy but as soon as her sister appears she’s back to being full of life and following her hero everywhere, it’s adorable now while they’re 5 and 2 but I worry what will happen in a few years when the older one is too cool to spend time with her sister because I don’t see the worship dropping off anytime soon
Congratulations to Elizabeth!
For you, there is a song that I saw as the Father Daughter dance at a wedding recently. I don't even have kids, and it made me tear up and have to wipe my eyes.
It is called "Letting You Go" by Jason Isbell and the 400 unit. I have been to many weddings in my life, but haven't heard a song so apt for the occasion.
Give it a listen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6alzZQXi7Y
Thanks for pointing me to that song. Really moving.
Per Miss Manners, one congratulates the prospective groom because (as Joe implies) he is the lucky one. One may also congratulate the parents. But one sends "best wishes" to the prospective bride.
I didn't know that. Perhaps I just congratulated Elizabeth because though I have never met her and never will, I feel a bit as if I know her a little through Joe's writing.
I am sure that in this case, the groom is the lucky one. I know that has been the case for me.
Wood, Lolich, I was lucky enough to have been cognitive and a baseball fan during this era. It was something else
These young, injury-prone pitchers these days could take a lesson from Lolich and Wood about how to stay in peak physical condition to remain durable. Young guys just don't want to work that hard, I guess.
Congratulations to Elizabeth on her engagement! In the last millennium, my kids and I stayed at that Sun Dome in Hutchinson. Good times!
Congratulations Joe ! As for the Bears, I believe they made the right decision for th PAT. Being a lifelong Browns fan, and AFC North person, weird things happen, late in close games, on the Tries.
Saw the Bills game, ashame they lost. I'm not surprised by the firing ... either.
As a Sox fan in my youth, I loved Wilbur Wood. One piece of trivia not mentioned in the blog or the commentsis that Wilbur was the last pitcher to start both games of a doubleheader. I could Google it to get the year and the games, etc. but you can do that too. He didn’t do very well but good grief it was probably back in the pre-1900 that had been tried last.
Joe, you always make my day, thanks!
Wilbur, 376.2 innings in '71. What was truly amazing is that for those 5 seasons, as a knuckler, he only averaged 2 walks/9 innings, unheard of.
Congratulations, Joe and Elizabeth!
RIP Wilbur Wood. I remember his 70s Topps cards - awesome-looking cards!
I hope the Sox have a moment of silence for him on Opening Day. Steve Stone probably has some really good stories about him.
Sorry, Bears fans - I thought the Pope effect was in full gear last night. I was rooting for them against the hated Rams (native St. Louisian writing).
Wonderful news about Elizabeth. Congratulations!