Cancer and Sports Part 6 Of Many

Interesting picture.  Yesterday I took Jeff to visit a friend whose sports authentication business I am buying.  He had, and I bought, a baseball...one of the last authenticated baseballs signed by members of the old Negro League - including Casey Jones.  Why did I buy this and what does it have to do with Jeff?  There are many reasons but will share only one and on to other things....

I did not pay attention to the old Negro leagues - being very young and very Caucasian..I knew there were hero's and that Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier.  This is history, where we were not that long ago and where we are as a country now.  It is a reminder that Black athletes have come a long way and hopefully will not squander the hard work and phenomenal sportsmanship of those that came before.  Will I sell that ball?  Probably not because it has to go to someone who will value not just the autographs but the history that one little baseball represents.

As I said, I brought Jeff with as I made some very interesting purchases last night.  He had his moments of sheer delight as he held a Paul McCartney (for real) left handed electric guitar (autographed) but he also held the actual signed bats and balls of some of his hero's.   For many reasons the trip was good for him and he was enjoying the moment the majority of the time.   It was about better days - the 64 Phillies, Richie (not Dick) Allen, Rick Wise, Johnny Callison, Tony Taylor - a time when the we were all immortal.  It was also about football, hockey and even some basketball!  We left with more items than I want to think about but Jeff had a few good hours. I am officially in the sports authentication business and once Jeff is well...sky is the limit! 

Today is just a bad day and he has no football on.  He has no interest in the games, not even Penn State...so much for the miracle of sports.  Today there are no miracles just the big C hanging over our heads.  Tomorrow, maybe.  The Eagles have a bye week which hurts us.  There is fantasy ball to look forward to tomorrow for all of the other teams.  In three weeks (after round two of chemo) we return to Texas and perhaps, if he feels up to it, a game at Reliant field (behind our hotel). 

A quiet Saturday in our home is not a good thing.  I guess I have to tiptoe down stairs to catch the game and maybe a little later Jeff will join me because, We Are ...PENN STATE! 

As for me... well, I have my little piece of women's history and now own a bat signed by the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, a few signatures short but...he will get well and I will find all the women who stood strong even in rough times to complete the signing of my bat!