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| Rick & Rick Williams...Air Force photos...exactly 20 years apart |
Today marks the second anniversary of my father's death. It seems always easy to 'scream' the anger that you might feel towards another. Yet...to quietly and peacefully remember what you so greatly enjoyed about that person...that is how I choose to live this life. It has been said, 'circumstances can make you a bitter person or a better person'. Oh how I always hope to choose the latter.
God has provided five to seven most excellent memories to cherish regarding my father. As I began to write today I was trying to think which of these memories would I call 'the best'? And I don't think that there is a 'best'. I am privileged to truly have some fond memories. So here's one. Perhaps I will share others over the years on September 5th or December 12th (the day of his birth).
If you ever mention 'the babe', most people likely go straight to 'Babe Ruth'. And rightly so! But did you know that there was another 'babe' that played for the New York Yankees? His name was Babe Dahlgren. One of my all-time favorite movies is 'Pride of the Yankees'. It is the story of Lou Gehrig. So what's the connection? Well if you were to watch the movie it shows Lou coming off the field for the first time after playing in 2,130 consecutive games. A feat unmatched until the great Cal Ripken Jr. tied that record on this day 17 years ago. Cal of course would go to break the record the next day. Back to the Babe...when Lou comes off the field the Yankee manager calls out, "Dahlgren, first base". Babe Dahlgren is the one who takes the place of 'Ironman' Lou Gehrig. He actually did it in amazing fashion as he homered, hit the ball hard on three other occasions and fielded good as well.
God has provided five to seven most excellent memories to cherish regarding my father. As I began to write today I was trying to think which of these memories would I call 'the best'? And I don't think that there is a 'best'. I am privileged to truly have some fond memories. So here's one. Perhaps I will share others over the years on September 5th or December 12th (the day of his birth).
If you ever mention 'the babe', most people likely go straight to 'Babe Ruth'. And rightly so! But did you know that there was another 'babe' that played for the New York Yankees? His name was Babe Dahlgren. One of my all-time favorite movies is 'Pride of the Yankees'. It is the story of Lou Gehrig. So what's the connection? Well if you were to watch the movie it shows Lou coming off the field for the first time after playing in 2,130 consecutive games. A feat unmatched until the great Cal Ripken Jr. tied that record on this day 17 years ago. Cal of course would go to break the record the next day. Back to the Babe...when Lou comes off the field the Yankee manager calls out, "Dahlgren, first base". Babe Dahlgren is the one who takes the place of 'Ironman' Lou Gehrig. He actually did it in amazing fashion as he homered, hit the ball hard on three other occasions and fielded good as well.
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| 2 Rick's in 1966 |
Ok Rick, but what's your connection? My dad, Babe Dahlgren, myself...In 1967 or 68 my dad gave this boy a gift to Babe Dahlgren's Batting School. And the rest is history. Dad recognized that even as a boy I LOVED baseball. Though I must admit I don't recall much from those days. What I do know...I became quite a good hitter. And more than that...my dad GAVE this gift to me.
Thanks dad! What a great gift...what a great memory. Maybe...even a great story.
Thanks dad! What a great gift...what a great memory. Maybe...even a great story.
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