August 17th, 2006 was a special day for Liam O’Connor of Chicago. It was the day that he turned five years old. Liam’s father, Sean did what his father used to do on such occasions. He took his son to see the Chicago White Sox play.
On a beautiful day at U.S. Cellular Field, Mark Buehrle was yeoman-like for six innings, allowing two earned runs to the Kansas City Royals to earn the win. Sean and Liam matriculated into the more expensive seats, right behind the home team’s dugout, which Liam considered a great improvement over their paid seats in the upper deck. Now the twosome was close enough to be heard by their team.
Between innings, the Father called out to his son’s favorite player, Juan Uribe, Number 5. Sean asked the Sox Shortstop if he would give Liam a ball. Uribe speaks little English and smiled but looked confused. John Garland handed Uribe a ball and gestured. Juan understood the request and rolled Liam the ball. The little boy held his birthday present, from the giant man who he believes is the greatest ballplayer ever, with both hands.
For exposing himself to expulsion for moving into the unpaid-for seats; and by exposing himself to complaint and ridicule by a team in a playoff hunt, Sean secured an unforgettable baseball memory for his son. The staff at the Vicarious Life recognizes Mr. Chicago Sean O’Connor as its Vicarious Father of the Month for August.
Vicarious Christmas Gift Ideas
As of Saturday, there’ll be 127 days until Christmas. To beat the rush, I’ve compiled a countdown to the finest music to be found out there for gifting.
5. Oh Say Can You Sing benefits a good number of charities of the different MLB player’s choice. So, take this as the well-meant novelty that it is. The Jewel in this mix of rocks and semi-precious stones is the Mets’ Matt Ginter, playing the banjo on “Dooley”. Also, H.O.F. Shortstop, Ozzie Smith does a surprisingly true rendition of Sam Cooke’s “Cupid”. Jeff Conine (the Barbarian) only proves he’s tone-deaf. But, remember. It’s for charity.
4. Covering All Bases While still a pitcher with the Boston Red Sox, Bronson Arroyo got together in 2005 with a group of experienced studio musicians, as well as friends, Johnny Damon and Kevin Youklis (backup singers and beer-helpers) to make a CD of rock music covers. This is a fun CD. Arroyo looks and sounds like that real cool, not-quite-ready-for-a-record-deal kind of guy, who plays a lot of frat parties and gets the chicks in college. All the songs were hits for other bands. So, there’s nothing new. But, this is a ballplayer that could pinch-hit for Eddie Vedder on a night that he has a sinus infection. Throw him in the mix. He’ll hold up his part of the rotation.
3. Ben Broussard's new CD Traded from Cleveland to Seattle this year, Ben Broussard joins Jason Tyner and Frank Robinson on the developing All-Beaumont Team. That's right, he's from Beaumont, Texas. He flies under the radar, but he's a solid .300 hitter with power. He wrote all the songs on his CD. And, he'll fit in nicely in Seattle, where they drink coffee and overrate anyone that plays a guitar.
2. Baseball's Greatest Hits– This compilation of various great artists from the last fifty years is both great music and a historical subtext for a time when this country could rightfully glorify its baseball heroes. Count Basie, Danny Kay and Les Brown were “A-Listers” long ago, in a time when sluggers like Joe Dimaggio were bigger than the President. Come to think of it, some things haven’t changed.
1. The Journey Within
A man this talented with a guitar should never tolerate G. Steinbrenner. Bernie Williams could tour with Pat Matheny year-round. He is a classically trained guitarist, who wrote three of the songs on his album. He is accompanied by an all-star cast of jazz musicians, including Ruben Blades (who has kept busy during his waking hours by running for President of Panama, winning a Grammy for the Jazz Album, Mundo and being an unfortunate victim of the alien in the movie, Predator).
Williams has compiled an album of fine, relaxing jazz, without trying to show off.
Jason Tyner Update
Yesterday, (8/18/06), Beaumont’s Jason Tyner went 3 for 4 with a run scored. I wrote an article last month about his long climb back into the Bigs. After 126 at-bats, Tyner is still hitting at a furious .325 pace. The Vicarious Life Staff hears the Roy Hobbs theme song in its collective head whenever Tyner is on Sportscenter, making a defensive gem.
Aug. 13, MLB.Com Jason Tyner Article
