The Writer's Life 5/24 - Academy Men

In today's NY Post TV sports critic Phil Mushnick writes about a great American: "Throughout Memorial Day weekend, FOX Sports 1, its regional sports networks and affiliates, are running a twelve-minute feature on the life and death of Maj. Stephen Reich, a West Point grad and baseball star from Washington Depot, Conn.. In 2008 Reich was killed in action during his fourth tour of duty in Afghanistan. He and 15 others died during a rocket grenade attack that struck their helicopter as they attempted to rescue a team of Navy SEALs. It didn’t have to end that way. Reich was a star pitcher in high school, but chose an appointment to West Point. Considered the best to ever pitch at the Academy, he was drafted by the Orioles, even pitched two games in the minors. But he was Army first, Army last. And last was at 34." Some men put the rest of us to shame.

Here's a guy to root for: Mitch Harris has become the first graduate of the Naval Academy to appear in an MLB game since 1921 (Nemo Gaines). This is remarkable because his career was on hold while he completed his five-year commitment to the Navy. He kept his arm in shape by playing catch on the flight deck of his ship, where he also worked on his pitching mechanics. Recently called up after two years in the minors, he has made two appearances in middle relief, and is 1-1 with an era of 5.06. Well done, young man. (From Yahoo Sports)

Here's an item from the famous Page Six: "Cryotherapy, the hot new health fad where people step into a 200- to 240-degree-below-zero chamber for one-and-a-half to three minutes, has become so big with celebs and bigwigs, some are buying their own machines. We hear that Relativity CEO Ryan Kavanaugh has his own cryotherapy chamber, as does Floyd Mayweather, who has been vocal about using the treatment. We’re told the high-tech devices run from $50,000 to $150,000. Mayweather pal Justin Bieber is also a fan and was spotted last week at Cryohealthcare in LA. Mandy Moore and Derek Hough have posted pics of themselves doing the treatment that’s said to alleviate everything from hangovers to chronic pain." Interesting, but not for someone who hates the cold as much as I do.

My thanks to the three kind souls who made purchases today on Bay Parkway. When Monsey, whose grand-daughter just turned 18, told me she's taking a free writing class at the library, I offered her a writer's manual, which she insisted on paying for it. She's intimidated about opening up, squeamish about reading intimate details in public. I asked if she would be allowed to submit anonymously, and her face lit up. "I hadn't thought of that," she said. "Thanks." I know how she feels. When I re-worked Close to the Edge, I didn't want to read too closely, knowing a lot of it would make me cringe.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/