So you bought me the chest protector, catcher's mask, and catcher's mitt when I was .... 7? I remember when you had that look in your eye that the next pitch was going to sting if I caught it on the palm of the mitt. Years later I was a catcher in little league. I always thought that it was strange that none of those teenage little league pitchers were able to make my hand sting like you did. In my mid-teens we were on the boardwalk in Wildwood and came upon a "how fast can you throw" game. I went first and heaved as hard as I could... 68 mph! Then you threw your first pitch at 87 mph! And you were in your upper 40's??? You told me later that you played baseball when you were younger, and what position??? - PITCHER! While watching so many Pirates games with you not too long ago you said to me that someone has to be crazy to want to be a catcher. I will miss your stories (even the ones I heard 200 times before) but I will miss your sense of humor and your appreciation of mine, including your love of my voice impersonations and my karaoke. You were a great father and a great provider for our family. I will miss you so much until the day that we meet again! Have a baseball ready and I'll be more than happy to catch you again you old smart-ass!
