RIP Stan “The Man” Musial, 92, one of baseball’s all-time greats, who played his entire career for the St. Louis Cardinals. He won three MVP awards, seven NL batting titles, and was a member of three World Series winners. His lifetime BA is a phenomenal .331. He hit 475 home runs, long before the steroid era. And from what I’ve read, he was a first class human being. In this instance, a nice guy did finish first, many times.
Facebook has been my second best tool in selling books, and it came through again today. I received a message from an old friend, asking where I was setting up shop. I always try to keep my hopes in check whenever this happens, as life frequently interferes in our plans. I was thrilled when Angelo called out to me as he approached. I hadn't seen him since the mid 80's when we'd play touch football in the park at P.S. 281. He's more than twelve years younger than me. He graduated from Lafayette H.S. in '81, several years after I'd ceased coaching there. A lot bigger than me, he was a tackle. He now lives in northern Jersey and was back in Brooklyn to visit his mother in law. I was saddened to hear that he'd had a falling out with his older brother. They made the mistake of going into business together. Angelo, affectionately known as Lobo, a shortening of his last name, makes his living as an electrician. From the hardy looks of him, no one would know he'd survived lymphoma and testicular cancer. Of course, that reminded me of how lucky I've been and how petty my frustration about paltry books sales is. Although a member of a union for 30 years, Angelo suffers three to four month furloughs. Because of that, he has signed up to work in Afghanistan for a year, which will pay him a hundred grand, and which provides month long vacations. He will spend the entire time on an Army base and expects to be out of harm's way. I pray that it is so. He will be leaving in a month. Since he won't have much to do there besides work, he bought Adjustments and Killing to help pass the time. God's speed, big guy. Thank you. Now all is forgiven for the many passes of mine he intercepted back in the day. My thanks also to regular customers Maryann and Miguel, and the woman who purchased the large pictorial, The Miracle of Birth.
Visit Vic's sites:
Vic's Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
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