While my father focused on Pop-Pop’s love of country music, I would feel remiss if I did not
mention his love for sports, a common interest we both shared.
Since before I can even remember I followed professional sports with Pop-Pop. I recall stories
about me, a toddler, sitting on Pop-Pop’s lap as we watched the Yankees together on his TV.
Apparently, I once exclaimed “the Yankees are losing!” after I believe a simple forceout early in
the game. The score was only zero-to-zero, but I, being already a true baseball expert, was
adamant that the Yankees were in fact losing. Pop-Pop assured me that they were not and began to teach me the fundamentals of the game.
As I grew older I would speak over the phone with Nanet and Pop-Pop on Sunday nights. During these calls, Pop-Pop and I would discuss the current events relating to the two main sports teams we followed: the New York Yankees and New York Football Giants. Not only would Pop-Pop provide insights on current developments and the outcomes of games, but also he would share his memories from following the teams since he was a kid. Thus, I was blessed with countless recollections of baseball and football histories, from a man who personified sports enthusiasm.
He truly had an appreciation for individual greatness, regardless of whether or not the athlete
played for a team we followed. I distinctly remember the passion in which he described watching Jim Brown and Willie Mays. Moreover, he was always quick to praise other teams besides the Yankees or Giants who he was impressed by. Pop-Pop showed me what it meant to truly appreciate the games of baseball and football, to be a fan of the sports before the teams. Even when the Yankees or Giants were struggling he would continue to follow and support them because ultimately, he loved watching the games. It made him an incredibly loyal fan who, in spite of whether or not his favorite teams were winning, he would always win… he would always enjoy watching sports.
I believe in many ways, Pop-Pop’s approach towards sports extended to the rest of his life. In
particular, he would regularly express his faith that certain underperforming players would
realize their potential. This steady optimism towards sports was replicated and intensified in his
support for his friends and family. The passion and loyalty he showed towards his favorite sports teams were only eclipsed by the passion and loyalty he showed towards those he cared about. He never expressed anything but optimism about my endeavors and my future. Regardless of how we were doing, he would always enjoy spending time with all of us. I will miss talking with him about sports, I will miss our weekly calls, but I will forever appreciate the passion and care he had for others.
mention his love for sports, a common interest we both shared.
Since before I can even remember I followed professional sports with Pop-Pop. I recall stories
about me, a toddler, sitting on Pop-Pop’s lap as we watched the Yankees together on his TV.
Apparently, I once exclaimed “the Yankees are losing!” after I believe a simple forceout early in
the game. The score was only zero-to-zero, but I, being already a true baseball expert, was
adamant that the Yankees were in fact losing. Pop-Pop assured me that they were not and began to teach me the fundamentals of the game.
As I grew older I would speak over the phone with Nanet and Pop-Pop on Sunday nights. During these calls, Pop-Pop and I would discuss the current events relating to the two main sports teams we followed: the New York Yankees and New York Football Giants. Not only would Pop-Pop provide insights on current developments and the outcomes of games, but also he would share his memories from following the teams since he was a kid. Thus, I was blessed with countless recollections of baseball and football histories, from a man who personified sports enthusiasm.
He truly had an appreciation for individual greatness, regardless of whether or not the athlete
played for a team we followed. I distinctly remember the passion in which he described watching Jim Brown and Willie Mays. Moreover, he was always quick to praise other teams besides the Yankees or Giants who he was impressed by. Pop-Pop showed me what it meant to truly appreciate the games of baseball and football, to be a fan of the sports before the teams. Even when the Yankees or Giants were struggling he would continue to follow and support them because ultimately, he loved watching the games. It made him an incredibly loyal fan who, in spite of whether or not his favorite teams were winning, he would always win… he would always enjoy watching sports.
I believe in many ways, Pop-Pop’s approach towards sports extended to the rest of his life. In
particular, he would regularly express his faith that certain underperforming players would
realize their potential. This steady optimism towards sports was replicated and intensified in his
support for his friends and family. The passion and loyalty he showed towards his favorite sports teams were only eclipsed by the passion and loyalty he showed towards those he cared about. He never expressed anything but optimism about my endeavors and my future. Regardless of how we were doing, he would always enjoy spending time with all of us. I will miss talking with him about sports, I will miss our weekly calls, but I will forever appreciate the passion and care he had for others.