Sorry for your loss John, my sympathies to you and Coach Gama’s family.
What great, real world advice Coach Gama passed onto you. My 2nd season in the American League, I had the plate in Texas when our 7:00 game started just after 10 because of rain.
Arriving at the park at 5:30, I was confident we would be postponed. When we weren’t and by the time the game started, mentally I wasn’t there. Had one of the worst games of my career.
Always be prepared to play/work until you aren’t.
One more thing and thank you for mentioning it. Please, I beg everyone, stop using the term “natty!” I can’t tell you how much I hate that non-word!
Great Answers! They would need to make SNL a 5 hour show for Walton's opening monologue. He might go long if he starts talking about UCLA leaving the Conference of Champions.
My condolences on the loss of your friend, who taught you valuable lessons early in your life, though you may not have recognized it at the time. I don’t know you, but through your columns, I feel I do. You are a gifted writer, always giving your readers well researched material, and adding “real life” stories. This differentiates you from other columnists, making it easy for us to connect with you. Thank you!
Thanks for your baseball coach comments! Like many, my football coach was my mentor most of my life! His similar “no rain outs” comment was “life’s battles don’t always go to the faster or stronger man as sooner or later the man who wins is the man who thinks he can”.
I'm an itinerant educator, primarily elementary schools. Most people have no idea what a modern classroom is like and how much it has changed in the last decade. The discipline issues have been ramping up for a while but Covid accelerated it tremendously. Most long time educators are retiring as early as possible because the change has been incredibly difficult...experienced classroom teachers tell me that it has completely changed the profession. New classroom teachers are not prepared for the classroom because teacher training hasn't kept up with the new realities. Teaching has always been under-appreciated and underpaid but it's a new deal now.
I'm glad you added this about teachers....if there isn't more attention given to public education (and money really isn't the issue for a change, it's a lack of parenting) we will continue to see society decline.
I had the opportunity at a 50-year high school reunion to see my "old" coach (he was in his late 20's when I was in high school) and told him how he had been the second most influential person in my life (after my dad). I was an introverted kid, and he nurtured the self-confidence that led to college and a very successful professional career for me. I poured on the gratitude in front of him and his wife. He got tears in his eyes, then I did too. He died within a year. I was so happy I chose to attend that reunion and that he had traveled 300 miles or so to be there as well. It's never too late to convey gratitude.
I’m so sorry for your loss! I have lost two of my top coaches in my life so far. Erv Garrison and Tim Williams. If you are from Oregon, Erv was legend in high school football. A truly amazing man. Tim was my wrestling coach growing up as a kid. He had it. And his kids he coached went on to do great things. Both philosophers, and captivating. I think about them all the time. We are better for the men that have led us to where we are!
Thanks for the shout out to your coach. We are touched by a lot of good people in our long and checkered life, you are gracious in that you regularly acknowledge yours.
I may have read it in one of your columns, but the story was that Bill Walton was on an interview show and twenty five minutes later was still answering the initial question. Gotta love Bill.
SNL and Bill Walton are a perfect match. Those that can't stand him take Walton, and themselves, too serious. The man is thoroughly enjoying his golden years on earth. We should all be as lucky.
Lol on your response to the Walton question! I can see him in front of the audience doing his monologue only to have the band start playing…like they do at the Oscar’s when the winner’s acceptance speech goes too long!
My sixth grade teacher, Dorothy Clark, made a huge, positive impact on my life. I am deeply grateful that--decades later--I ran into her and was able to express my gratitude. Teachers/coaches matter!
John, what heartfelt article in your baseball coach. Thanks for sharing. Besides your excellent reporting on the Pac-12 and other sports, these types of articles are what make you an outstanding reporter.
Sorry for your loss John, my sympathies to you and Coach Gama’s family.
What great, real world advice Coach Gama passed onto you. My 2nd season in the American League, I had the plate in Texas when our 7:00 game started just after 10 because of rain.
Arriving at the park at 5:30, I was confident we would be postponed. When we weren’t and by the time the game started, mentally I wasn’t there. Had one of the worst games of my career.
Always be prepared to play/work until you aren’t.
One more thing and thank you for mentioning it. Please, I beg everyone, stop using the term “natty!” I can’t tell you how much I hate that non-word!
Great Answers! They would need to make SNL a 5 hour show for Walton's opening monologue. He might go long if he starts talking about UCLA leaving the Conference of Champions.
My condolences on the loss of your friend, who taught you valuable lessons early in your life, though you may not have recognized it at the time. I don’t know you, but through your columns, I feel I do. You are a gifted writer, always giving your readers well researched material, and adding “real life” stories. This differentiates you from other columnists, making it easy for us to connect with you. Thank you!
Thanks for your baseball coach comments! Like many, my football coach was my mentor most of my life! His similar “no rain outs” comment was “life’s battles don’t always go to the faster or stronger man as sooner or later the man who wins is the man who thinks he can”.
Moratorium? How about a stake through the heart of the word “Natty”.
I'm an itinerant educator, primarily elementary schools. Most people have no idea what a modern classroom is like and how much it has changed in the last decade. The discipline issues have been ramping up for a while but Covid accelerated it tremendously. Most long time educators are retiring as early as possible because the change has been incredibly difficult...experienced classroom teachers tell me that it has completely changed the profession. New classroom teachers are not prepared for the classroom because teacher training hasn't kept up with the new realities. Teaching has always been under-appreciated and underpaid but it's a new deal now.
I'm glad you added this about teachers....if there isn't more attention given to public education (and money really isn't the issue for a change, it's a lack of parenting) we will continue to see society decline.
I had the opportunity at a 50-year high school reunion to see my "old" coach (he was in his late 20's when I was in high school) and told him how he had been the second most influential person in my life (after my dad). I was an introverted kid, and he nurtured the self-confidence that led to college and a very successful professional career for me. I poured on the gratitude in front of him and his wife. He got tears in his eyes, then I did too. He died within a year. I was so happy I chose to attend that reunion and that he had traveled 300 miles or so to be there as well. It's never too late to convey gratitude.
John,
I’m so sorry for your loss! I have lost two of my top coaches in my life so far. Erv Garrison and Tim Williams. If you are from Oregon, Erv was legend in high school football. A truly amazing man. Tim was my wrestling coach growing up as a kid. He had it. And his kids he coached went on to do great things. Both philosophers, and captivating. I think about them all the time. We are better for the men that have led us to where we are!
Thanks for the shout out to your coach. We are touched by a lot of good people in our long and checkered life, you are gracious in that you regularly acknowledge yours.
I may have read it in one of your columns, but the story was that Bill Walton was on an interview show and twenty five minutes later was still answering the initial question. Gotta love Bill.
Sorry for your loss, John.
SNL and Bill Walton are a perfect match. Those that can't stand him take Walton, and themselves, too serious. The man is thoroughly enjoying his golden years on earth. We should all be as lucky.
Lol on your response to the Walton question! I can see him in front of the audience doing his monologue only to have the band start playing…like they do at the Oscar’s when the winner’s acceptance speech goes too long!
Thank you for your consistency and honesty. You do good work and I look forward to your columns.
My sixth grade teacher, Dorothy Clark, made a huge, positive impact on my life. I am deeply grateful that--decades later--I ran into her and was able to express my gratitude. Teachers/coaches matter!
John, what heartfelt article in your baseball coach. Thanks for sharing. Besides your excellent reporting on the Pac-12 and other sports, these types of articles are what make you an outstanding reporter.
"does the show have time for Walton’s opening monologue?"
I love Bill Walton doing a game, but that had tears running down my face! Thanks for the great laugh!