Skip to main content

Dear Son, First Catch

--- 7 Years, 10 months---

Dear Son,

Baseball is not something you love. And I know that. You like it. But right now, you’re a hoops guy.

But bear with ol' dad for a moment with this letter…

We played catch for the first time today - a legit game of catch, on a field, with an official NCAA baseball - and it was memorable.

I didn’t think this moment would be as cool as it was, but it was. And each time you caught the ball and fired it back, it was surreal. 

There’s a lot of beauty in baseball. It’s why I love it. It’s why my dad loved it - despite it being his second love to cricket. There are unexplainable nuances, indescribable accounts, and such randomness that threads through the game that elicits, yes, an unconditional love for the game.

Shooting hoops with you gave me joy. And it still does, because that’s our thing. You love hoops. And as a city kid, basketball will always be in my blood. Every time we play, I enjoy it tremendously.

And yes, you’ll never beat one on one. (Smile)

But, wow!

There was something about today - the simple act of throwing a baseball toward you, and you at me, gloves smacking aloud with each catch, dirt dusting in the air as we move our feet, and just the right amount of sunlight to make an amazing sunset ambiance over it all.

I can wax poetic about it with so many words, and yet, still won't be able to capture the feeling. That’s baseball. And this first catch of ours, well…

…it will forever be memorable. I just want you to know that. 

Thanks for the catch. And another moment. 

Love, Dad

Recently Read

Would You Rather: Questions 121-130

This edition of "Would You Rather" is credited to the NBA Would You Rather NBA Account on Instagram ( See Here ). Adding to the fun, this edition (and possibly future ones) are all NBA basketball questions.  121. Who would you rather have on your favorite NBA team - Giannis Antetokounpo or James Harden?  Seeing how I'm a lifelong suffering Knicks fan, the thought of any of these guys in blue and orange is hard to believe. With that said, I'm taking the Greek Freak for this reason - I enjoy watching him play a bit more. Nothing against Harden who is amazing as well, but at times, the ball sticks and that isn't always fun. Plus, I feel like we haven't yet seen a finished Giannis. 122. Would you rather have Giannis Antetokounpo with no driving ability or James Harden with no Three-Point shooting ability?  This is definitely a weird and unique one, but I'll take Harden. Giannis without his strength doesn't offer much. However, if Harden's d...

Yankees Postseason 2026, ALDS vs. Rays

This is easily the most anticipated series (and most expected?) for the New York Yankees. The two best teams during the regular season were expected to clash to determine American League prominence.  And yes, I agree that this upcoming series says a lot about the broken playoff structure in MLB. Allow me to step onto my soapbox for a mere moment... Up we go... I've never been a fan of the expansion to six teams per league. I understand that it keeps more markets in the playoff picture come September, and it is more revenue for all (likely, the biggest reason for the expansion). Still, all it did was create a scenario where division winners were at a disadvantage, and what we're getting here is the two best teams in the league facing off in a five-game series.  Ultimately, the Tampa Bay Rays, the top seed in the American League, are given the second-best record in their first-round, in a best-of-five?  None of this makes sense.  Stepping off now... Nonetheless, fellow...

Yankees Postseason 2026, Wild Card vs. Boston Red Sox

And we're back with another one of these read-along series. It wasn't too long ago that I found myself writing every other night as my Knicks marched their way to an NBA Championship.  Man, that still feels so good to indulge in.  But here we are on a similar journey for the Yankees.  Call me crazy, but I'm just not buying that the World Series is confirmed for anyone. Baseball has been weird all year, and part of said weirdness has been the parity, or dreadfulness - however you want to look at it - around MLB. In my opinion, the Yankees' pitching depth gives them a legit chance.  And with a lockout looming, 2027 might not present another chance. Why you gotta go there, man? I'm just saying... --- Game 1 Yankees d. Red Sox, 9-0 (Yankees lead Series, 1-0) Cam Schlittler is amazing. I sat on my sofa last year in Game 3 of the Wild Card between these two very rivaled teams and it felt like that dude was the best pitcher in the world. For the moment and game, it just fe...