Category Archives: Sports
A gut call and it worked out
The Panthers were coming off back-to-back shutout losses and were tied 3-3 with the NY Rangers at home… 10 minutes left in regulation.
The number for -1.5 was just too big for me to ignore. I’ve seen how the better team is tied in the third and then scores the go-ahead goal and then adds an empty-netter. It was a risk here but I took it. It won.
Shortly after I took it (I saw it with 10 mins left), Florida scored. The Panthers got the empty-net goal with less than a minute left.
Turning Silence into Strength: How I Finished “Baseball Card Heroes” Without the Support I Thought I Needed
Sometimes in life, we expect certain people to be there for us—the friends, family, and mentors we rely on to cheer us on and offer support. We tell ourselves, “If they just believed in me, I could accomplish anything.” But what happens when the people we think will stand beside us aren’t there when we need them the most?
This is my story of finishing my book, Baseball Card Heroes, even though I felt like the world around me was silent… and even though the friends I thought would support me didn’t show up the way I imagined.
I’d been working on my book for a long time—Baseball Card Heroes has been a dream of mine for years. It’s not just another sports book. It’s a love letter to the game, a tribute to the players who have inspired me, shaped my life, and taught me about perseverance. Writing it was not just about documenting baseball history; it was a personal journey, a way for me to connect with my heroes and, in some small way, become one myself.
But here’s the truth: when I started, I thought I’d have the support I needed. I envisioned long conversations with friends about ideas, people rooting for me, offering encouragement. Instead, I faced silence. No replies to my messages. No feedback. It felt like I was walking this journey alone, and at times, I wondered whether my dream was even worth chasing.
There were days when I wanted to give up, days when I questioned whether I could continue without that external validation. It’s a tough feeling to want to share something you’re passionate about, only to hear crickets in return. I thought about all those moments where friends had cheered me on in the past and wondered why they couldn’t do the same now.
I asked myself: Why do I need them? Why do I need their approval to validate this passion?
The answer came slowly but surely: I don’t need them to make this dream come true.
As much as I had hoped for that external encouragement, I had to turn inward. I had to dig deeper, rely on my own belief in the project, and trust that if I kept working, kept writing, I would finish this book—regardless of the silence surrounding me.
With each chapter I wrote, the absence of external validation became less important. Instead of looking for applause from others, I focused on what I was doing. I thought about the heroes who had inspired me—the athletes, the legends, the underdogs—and I realized that this book was about them. This was my gift to the game, my way of giving back to something I loved so deeply.
I didn’t need anyone else to tell me it was worth it.
And then, the day came. I had written the final sentence of Baseball Card Heroes. There was no big celebration. No party. No high fives. I sat in my chair, quietly, with the realization that I’d done it—despite the silence. Despite the moments of doubt. Despite the friends who didn’t show up in the way I thought they would.
It wasn’t about them. It was about me. And it was about the heroes who had shaped my life.
Finishing Baseball Card Heroes taught me a powerful lesson: Sometimes, the only person you need to believe in you is yourself. The journey isn’t always going to be easy, and the people you think will cheer you on might not be there when you need them the most. But that doesn’t mean you can’t finish. It doesn’t mean your dreams are any less valid.
If you have something you’re passionate about, something that drives you—even if you feel like you’re doing it alone—keep going. You don’t need anyone’s permission. The only thing you need is to keep moving forward, even if it feels like you’re the only one in the room.
As for me, I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. The journey wasn’t easy, but it was mine. And the silence? It just became the background noise to the story I was telling—one about perseverance, passion, and the realization that sometimes, you’re your own biggest fan.
Baseball Card Heroes is now finished, and I’m more excited than ever to share it with the world. But the most important thing I learned along the way was that it was never about waiting for others to believe in me. It was about believing in myself.
And that, in the end, is all I really needed.
Overcoming Adversity: A Hockey Play-by-Play Announcer’s Tale
I am proud to say that I do play-by-play announcing as a side job on weekends. It’s something I look forward to every Saturday and Sunday.
Now, in any given season, we often find ourselves facing challenges that seem to come out of nowhere. For those of us in sports media, the unpredictability of each event can turn even the most routine game into a test of our adaptability, patience, and resilience. Recently, I had one of those experiences—an event that tested my ability to overcome adversity, but ultimately reaffirmed why I love what I do.
As a play-by-play announcer for a local amateur hockey team, I’ve always prided myself on creating a great experience for fans, whether they’re in the stands or watching from home. That’s why I put a lot of focus on making sure the camera angles are clear, the equipment is set up properly, and the broadcast runs smoothly.
However, in a recent game, things didn’t go as planned.
Arriving at the arena that day, I was greeted by a surprising sight: the stands, which are normally there and the place where the equipment is set up, had been removed. Instead, there was a single tower left in its place. As someone who has a fear of heights, this immediately put me on edge. I rely on my usual spot to set up the camera and equipment, and now I had no access to it. I was not about to climb up the tower; besides, I would not be able to carry the equipment up safely.
Naturally, I contacted the operations staff to ask for assistance, hoping that someone would be able to help me get the setup back to something that was closer to being normal. As a possible solution, I asked specifically if a scissor lift, a mechanical device which the facility had, could be provided. Unfortunately, I was met with a lack of understanding, as they were either unable or unwilling to offer a solution, not even allowing access to the scissor lift. I asked if there was anybody else I could speak with, but the answer was no. It became clear that I would need to find a way to make do with what I had.
As if that wasn’t enough, the camera person assigned to cover the game wasn’t there either. There had apparently been a miscommunication about the scheduling between him and the team manager (who was out of town for other team-related matters), so the camera person I was counting on was absent. The team manager quickly scrambled to call in a fill-in camera operator, but that person didn’t arrive until five minutes after the game started.
At this point, I realized I was on my own. The game was about to begin, and the situation wasn’t ideal, to say the least. Without my usual elevated platform, I was forced to set up my equipment just above the ice level. As you can imagine, this drastically impacted the view of the game for both me and the viewers who had paid to watch the game that was being streamed.
To make matters worse, the parents at home, who were eager to watch their kids play, quickly voiced their displeasure by contacting the streaming company. They couldn’t see the action clearly, and they let the people in charge know it in no uncertain terms. I was made aware of these concerns during the first period via text messages and emails. There was a lot of frustration in the air, and it would have been easy to let that affect my focus.
But instead of letting the situation get the best of me, I decided to take it in stride. I focused on what I could control—the broadcast. I kept my commentary clear and engaging (as best as I could), doing my best to paint a picture for viewers at home who couldn’t attend the game. I stayed calm, even as the setup wasn’t ideal, and did my job with the same professionalism I always strive for.
Adversity is a part of life. In sports, it’s something athletes face every day, whether it’s an injury, a tough opponent, or an unexpected setback. As someone who works behind the scenes, I’ve realized that adversity can happen at any time, and it’s how we respond that truly matters.
When things go wrong, it’s easy to get frustrated, discouraged, or upset. But in those moments, the best thing you can do is adapt. Embrace the challenges, find solutions, and do your best. It might not be perfect, and it might not go according to plan, but that’s where growth happens.
For me, the lesson was clear: no matter what obstacles are thrown my way, I can always rely on my ability to do the job, even when things aren’t ideal. And sometimes, that’s all you can do—give it your best effort, stay positive, and keep moving forward.
Looking back, I’m proud of how I handled the situation. Despite the difficulties, I remained focused and delivered a broadcast that allowed viewers to enjoy the game, even if the camera angles weren’t what they were used to. I learned that overcoming adversity isn’t about making everything perfect—it’s about pushing through and doing the best you can, regardless of the circumstances.
Every day is an opportunity to grow and improve. And when life throws you a curveball, you have two choices: let it knock you down or rise above it. I chose to rise above it—and that, to me, is the true essence of overcoming adversity.
Wally Pipp’ed Without Being Wally Pipp
The title of this story should be “Wally Pipp’ed without being Wally Pipp”—but to keep to the hockey theme, we’ll call it “The Unraveling of My Hockey Dream.”
I had always loved hockey, and when I discovered an opening for a camera operator with the local amateur team, I jumped at the chance. I believed that showing up early and doing the job would secure my spot—unlike Wally Pipp, who lost his position to Lou Gehrig for taking a day off. I was determined to avoid a similar fate.
The media relations guy welcomed me warmly, and I made it a point to arrive early every time, pouring my heart into each game. To feel like a true part of the team, I ordered their hat and shirt, ie. merchandise with the team logo. You could not buy them from the team directly but had to do so online from a third-party store. Little did I know that this small investment would lead to a nightmare. The store’s communication was poor; they insisted I download the “Shop” app to track shipping. Long story short, downloading that particular app—again, for the purpose of tracking the shipping—wrecked my phone, costing me $140 for a new one. By the time my gear finally arrived, my excitement had soured into frustration.
Then came the gut punch. Two weeks after I had received the merchandise, the media relations guy texted me, casually mentioning that the team management was bringing in a college student to take over the camera work. My heart sank. I had invested so much into this position, convinced that my dedication would pay off. Instead, I felt like a placeholder, just another face until someone else came along.
I couldn’t shake the words of a relative who had questioned my spending on the team’s merchandise: “You’re probably spending more than you’re making.” I had brushed it off at the time, thinking my passion justified the costs. But now, those words echoed in my mind, a bitter reminder of my misplaced priorities. The shirt and hat I wore with pride felt useless—tokens of a dream that had slipped away.
Disgusted and disheartened, I reflected on the experience. I was reminded of something I should have already known—it doesn’t matter if you show up early and do the job. It does not matter that you are fairly competent and reliable in the job. In other fields, in other workplaces, people often keep their jobs for showing up late, being incompetent, and being rude to customers. Life stinks, and sometimes it feels like everything you pour your heart into can crumble in an instant.
I had hoped to contribute to something I loved, but instead, I felt cast aside, much like Pipp, who had been replaced without a second thought.
As I packed away my team gear, I realized that passion alone wouldn’t secure my place in this world. I would need to find a new path, one where I could truly thrive—not just as a fan, but as someone whose dedication could lead to something meaningful. It was time to redefine my journey, seeking opportunities where my passion and effort could truly make a difference, ensuring I wouldn’t be left behind again.
Update: I’ve decided to give that store a one-star rating as a review.
Gotta find ways to feed yourself…
On Sunday night, I was tipped off to the fact that if the NY Jets fell behind any further — down 30-15 with seven minutes left in regulation against the Pittsburgh Steelers — they would likely pull all their starters. Or Pittsburgh might just run out the clock. Armed with that information, I did the following:
I can’t take the credit for this. Again, I was tipped off to the possibility of the Jets just giving up or not having the ball back for the rest of the game. So, I risked 30 bucks for a chance at a small profit.
But you gotta do what you gotta do to feed yourself. During the weekend, I was at the hockey rink doing play-by-play as a side gig. And during the intermissions and before the games, I had earphones in my ears listening to tips and live updates about college football, the NFL, and the NHL. Or after and before classes (yes, on the weekend), I stopped by at McDonald’s for a couple hours to again do the same thing, listening to tips and live updates so that I could make smart investments. (Yes, I ordered food while staying there, unlike some who use these places as their “offices” without ordering anything. And yes, like I said, I had earphones, unlike many inconsiderate people who play their stuff loudly without any earphones to annoy others around them. Jerks.)
Again, you gotta do what you gotta do.
Thanks to listening to tips and live updates, I was 3-0 in the three Sunday NHL games: Winnipeg Jets to win by exactly 3 goals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (ahhh, another “Jets/Pittsburgh” matchup), Winnipeg to beat Pittsburgh by the correct score of 6-3, LA Kings to beat Anaheim by more than 2.5 goals, and Colorado to beat the Sharks by the correct score of 4-1. These were taken with about five minutes left in each game. There were some misses in the NFL, unfortunately, but you can’t win all your investments. Got burned by the two late TDs in the KC/49ers game. The rest, though, were pretty good. (Again, I was tipped off to most of these situations.)
Ultimately, there were more than 100 picks made for the entire weekend, and I came out on the plus side, but although I tracked them, it’d be impossible to post them all here. Will have to try again for Monday Night Football (two games), Tuesday hockey, and Thursday Night Football and hockey, and see what happens.
You gotta do what you gotta do.
k. p. wee 