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January 17, 2009

There Is No Good Time

Filed under: Admin,Uncategorized — Chas @ 5:22 am

I’m probably going to be taking a couple days off. My grandfather passed away yesterday evening. It wasn’t unexpected. He was 92, and had a host of issues from Cancer, to heart issues and well,  just being old.

I’ll be sitting shiva, being with family and generally be in a frame of mind that won’t be able to give Pitt much priority.

The good news is that I’m living forever. My 6-year old daughter told me so at dinner as we were struggling with a good way to explain what was going on. So, I’ve got that going for me.t

I was very lucky growing up. My grandfather spent about half his time living near me and half in NYC for business. It meant spending at least a couple weeks every summer staying with him in NYC.

My grandfather had a huge influence on my love of sports. He took me to the first baseball game I can really remember (I know I went to other Yankee and Phillies games, but no real memories to speak of). It was a Rangers-Yankees game when I was 10. I remember walking in the dimly lit bowels of Yankee Stadium, and then emerging through one of the tunnels to see the bright green of the grass, the white chalk against the dirt. We had seats down the 3d baseline and could stare right at Graig Nettles and Buddy Bell. He was teaching me about how to score a game. Something I still love doing to this day whenever I go to a game.

He took me to buy my favorite baseball glove. I needed to replace a little pipsqueak of a glove that I hated. He took me to a Herman’s Sporting Goods, and with the patience that only comes from being a grandfather, waited while I took nearly an hour sorting through the bins of gloves. Trying to pick out the one that was just what I wanted. I suspect he wandered over to the golf section after a while, but he never forced me to just make a choice. I finally made a call, and in hindsight Iknow how ridiculously oversized it was for a 10-year old. He never said a word. He bought some baseballs and glove oil. When we got back to his apartment, he showed me how to work the oil in and where to put the balls before lashing it tight and for the next couple weeks it was in-between the mattress and box springs of my bed.

Then there were the Knicks. He loved the Knicks. Even in the last couple years, and as bad as they were (and god, he hated Isiah Thomas) he never missed watching them on TV. Unlike the Yankees, he couldn’t bring me around on them. He taught me about basketball, even if he didn’t care much about the college game.

The one thing I regret is that he couldn’t get me to learn to play golf, growing up. That was the thing he truly enjoyed doing. He tried teaching me, but in that he just didn’t have the patience in that matter. It didn’t help that I didn’t have the interest. Never a good pairing. By the time I came around to playing, he was no longer able to go out to play.

Even in the past year as his health and his mind started fading, he still was able to focus on sports. So when we would talk it would often focus on those matters. Always something for us to share.

I’m going to miss him.





May God comfort you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, Chas…

Comment by Reed 01.17.09 @ 5:46 am

Thanks for sharing, Chas

I’d have liked to have known my grandfather — either of them. A lot of similarities, though, when I think back on the early years spent with my father, age 75. He took my brother and I to our first ball games and never took a day-off as a Phillies fan. So when they won the World Serious this fall, it was a very special day.

My sincere condolences

Comment by Neil 01.17.09 @ 9:00 am

Condolences to you and your family. Take as much time as needed, you deserve it! Many thanks for creating this site for all of us Pitt fans to enjoy.

Comment by Pauly P 01.17.09 @ 9:06 am

I’m truly sorry for your loss.

Comment by omar 01.17.09 @ 9:06 am

I have been reading this blog for several years now, and visit this site usally daily. Although I have never met anyone from this site, as die hard Pitt fans I feel we are all friends. Chas, I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers over the next couple of days.

Comment by Scott 01.17.09 @ 9:08 am

Chas, sounds like your grandfather lived a long, productive life and was a very good man (despite being a Yankees’ fan) who provided you with many lasting memories.

Never knew my one grandfather but the only sport my other grandfather recognized was boxing (old Italian immigrant who went thru Ellis Island in 1920) … but he did make some great homemade wine.

Comment by w bill 01.17.09 @ 9:09 am

Sincere condolences, Chas. That was a great tribute to your grandfather

Comment by Dan35 01.17.09 @ 9:28 am

Our Prayers are certainly with you in this tough time!

Comment by Kurt 01.17.09 @ 9:35 am

[…] daily life, but when buzzer sounds, remember, its just a game. If you have yet to read Chas’ heartfelt post on the loss of his grandfather, please take the time to do so […]


my condolences

Comment by sf_pitt 01.17.09 @ 10:40 am

As a longtime reader of this blog (and also a devout Yankee fan), my prayers go out to you and your family. I sincerely hope I can live such a long and prosperous life, based on what I’ve just read in your tribute.

Comment by Hollywood 01.17.09 @ 11:00 am

Condolences to you and your family Chas. Take as much time as you need. Hopefully our boys will get you a win tonight!

Comment by Jimbo Covert's my dad 01.17.09 @ 12:16 pm

Chas, I’m so sorry for your loss…losing any family member is never easy, especially one who clearly had such a profound impact on your life. I’m sure you will be in the thoughts and prayers of all your readers today.

Comment by merlin 01.17.09 @ 12:31 pm

My condolences. May God be with you and your family…

Comment by MoE 01.17.09 @ 12:54 pm

My thoughts are with you and your family, Chas.

Comment by Mike Rutherford 01.17.09 @ 12:57 pm

Hi Chas,
Deepest condolences. Sounds as if you have a lot to be grateful for. May your memories give you comfort during this difficult time.

Michael B.

Comment by mbuncher 01.17.09 @ 2:26 pm

Chas,

May you and your family be blessed with his love and loving memories of your grandfather!

And may he be rooting for PITT from above all the time!

Take care of yourself and your family!

-al-

Comment by Oregon_Panther 01.17.09 @ 2:43 pm

Chas, our sympathy and best wishes go out to you and your family. Although I don’t believe that we ever met, I know that you made your grandfather (and mom and dad) very proud.

Comment by BigGuy 01.17.09 @ 3:43 pm

Chas, our thoughts and prayers are with your family in this time of grief. May you always remember the man for the best of what he was and what he taught you, and may you honor him in your life and in the values and vitality you instill in the heart of your child.

Comment by maz. 01.17.09 @ 3:49 pm

My sympathies Chas. I was lucky enough to have two grandfathers just as great as yours, and believe me, I know the pain you’re going through right now. I’m tearing up now just writing this.

Comment by Dugdog 01.17.09 @ 4:35 pm

So sorry Chas.

Comment by steve 01.17.09 @ 5:21 pm

Chas, my prayers will be for you and your family tonight.

Comment by Panthoor 01.17.09 @ 5:56 pm

Best wishes to you and yours, Chas.

Comment by Jeff 01.17.09 @ 6:55 pm

read this blog daily. have never posted before. just finished watching an unfortunate final 5 minutes of basketball. i truly am sorry for your loss, chas. well-written, emotional piece. am preparing for the loss of my grandfather at any moment. thank goodness the phils won the world series so I could take him to CBP for the rally. he was slow. and sore. impatient, too. but smiling…

Comment by "x" stands for bronx 01.17.09 @ 9:08 pm

Chas, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Comment by Rob 01.17.09 @ 9:32 pm

Chas,

My deepest condolences to you and your family. I will keep you and yours in my prayers.

DaveD

Comment by DaveD 01.18.09 @ 1:41 pm

[…] Pitt Blather, who has been a great friend to this blog over the past few months. His grandfather recently passed away – my thoughts are with Chas during this difficult […]

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