One of the best books I've read recently is called The Old Ballgame. It describes the strong, life-long bond between two people who were very different in origin: Christy Matthewson and John McGraw. Matthewson was an Ivy Leaguer and a somewhat socially refined gentleman. McGraw was an uneducated, foul-mouthed, hard-drinking Irishman. But, the game gave them a commonality.
The game has given Junior a commonality with Price Jacobs and Evyn Lacy.
Jacobs is a hard-throwing righty at Baytown Sterling. The two have been through the grinder as members of two different select teams together. Through their time together, they have developed a mutual respect for eachother's abilities and a fine friendship.
John has played baseball and football with Evyn. Although they come from different backgrounds, my son has developed a great deal of respect for Evyn. He is a quiet, hard worker. Football at West Brook can be more like a prison sentence than a team sport. And, only those players with strong character succeed. John respects Evyn as a player and a person. He shows up every day, ready to work.
Like Matthewson and McGraw, the great game continues to be the medium through which young men of substance forge lasting friendships. I'm proud that these young men (Lacy and Jacobs) think highly of my son because I certainly think highly of them.
