#27 - Mel Hall. Remember my boy with the dripping jerry curl hair coming out of his hat? My dad once had a Mel Hall game worn hat. It resides in the basement. Still to this day, you can feel the hair grease in the bill of the hat. MD loved Mel Hall. One of his favorite Indians of alltime. Any guy who didn't wear batting gloves, but put them in his back pockets so when he hit a home run, he could wave at the pitcher when rounding the bases, had to be cool.Speaking of MD - I think about him everyday. As tough as this year has been on me, it has been that much harder on him. On top of all of the shit he has had to endure with the death of my father and my mothers illness, he has been struggling with his marriage. As many of you already know, MD is headed towards divorce. He moved into an apartment yesterday. He is still seeing his kids as much as he can, but this is quite an adjustment for him. This past weekend was the first time I have spent with him since he decided a split was necessary, and I had mixed emotions. He seemed very happy and free. The "Old MD" was back. He handled himself with both of the kids unbelievably well and he is an amazing father. At the bar mitzvah party I could see at points he seemed a little out of sorts and understandably so. This was his first big family function and outing in Cleveland by himself since he was 21. Being in that situation with so many people that love and care about him was a big help in my opinion. But again, rocky times are going to be ahead.
MD has been blessed with two beautiful children. Now that basketball season is beginning, he will be traveling constantly and the times he will spend with his kids will be lessened. Its a tough spot to be in. Does one stick around, being very unhappy in your marriage just so you can be with you children, or do you decide to spilt apart to make yourself whole again, while seeing you children less? I cannot even imagine how hard of a decision that must have been for him, but everyone is entitled to be happy and live a somewhat drama free existence. My job, and our job as his friends and family, is just to keep supporting him and loving him as best as we can. I have seen the growth in MD over the past 2 years or so, and it is astounding to me. I am very proud to say he is not only my brother, but my best friend.
Song of the Day: "Things Done Changed" by The Notorious B.I.G.
Loved the stroll down Mel Hall lane. It brings back memories of a more simple time- a time when watching Ernie Camacho blow another late lead did not feel that bad. A time when you knew Pat Tabler would hit the bases loaded double and J-U-L-I-O would echo throughout the hot stale air of an empty Municipal Stadium. Those times are long gone but man were they good times… even for a wide eyed eight year old.
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