SPORTS

We Made It

By Steve Lawrence

In October of 2019, I wrote a column featuring two young boys trapped in the bodies of 60-something men. In “Rose Colored Oasis,” I wrote about David Moriah and Buck Briggs—Cornell grads who have been pals for a half century— bonded by their shared wide-eyed love for all things baseball.

Along with the column, the Ithaca Times ran a photo of the two guys grinning while holding some prized memorabilia—like some cherished baseball cards and a photo of Moriah with Casey Stengel, when David was the Mets' batboy in 1963—and Briggs laughed when he described them as “members of a bizarre fraternity of baseball memorabilia collectors.” Buck called his baseball card collection “a Time Machine,” and went on to recall that he learned to read as a boy by looking at baseball cards. I got the feeling—though he did not verbalize this—that if I ever learned where his vast and valuable collection was kept, he'd have to kill me.

David has written for Sports Collectors Digest, MLB post-season programs and Hall of Fame publications, and he had been in attendance for thirty-two consecutive induction ceremonies (interrupted brie y by the pandemic).

Both men were in Cooperstown last weekend, and on the Baseball People Facebook page, David posted a photo he took of the three living inductees, and he pointed out that Jim Kaat, Tony Oliva and David “Big Papi” Ortiz all played for the Minnesota Twins. Having missed two ceremonies due to the pandemic, being back at the festivities was, David said, “Like Roy Hobbs was nally back in the game!”

I have been fortunate to attend a few of the induction ceremonies, and there is a palpable bond that exists between attendees, sta , former and current players, and inductees. Fans who act like “grown-ups” most of the time wander about wide-eyed, wearing the jerseys of their favorite players, seeking autographs and shamelessly and joyously channeling their inner 12 year-old.

Buck Briggs met up with a guy he called “an old friend” last weekend, and their bond runs a bit deeper than the typical fan/fanboy connection.

It is time, dear readers, to dig into the box while I hurl a series of baseball metaphors at you. In 2017, Briggs was way behind in the count. He had been facing the power pitcher that was heart disease, and it had come down to the simple fact that if he did not nd a “reliever” for his damaged heart—which needed to come out—he would himself be out of the game. A er many exhaustive conversations and evaluations—both physical and psychological—Buck found himself at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. A fellow future transplant recipient—who was also going through the process—happened to be a fellow he recognized. A few weeks later— when both men were in the same unit for their surgeries—Briggs told a nurse, “I'll bet you were not aware that between this gentleman and myself, we have won seven American League batting titles!” e sta er said, “ at's very impressive...congratulations!” Briggs wryly added, “Well, he won all seven, but thank you nonetheless!” His roommate—a fellow by the name of Rod Carew (who also happens to have been a Minnesota Twin)–got a grin out of it, and was grateful for the levity as he, too, awaited a new heart.

Five years later, Briggs—now 68—has yet to win a batting title, and he told me, “It was the rst time Rod and I had seen each other since our transplants, and it wasn't really a big, emotional moment for us.” He added, “We just kind of looked at each other and smiled...like 'We made it'. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine in 2017 that we'd be meeting up in Cooperstown in 2022.” Buck and I are friends, and he has shared some compelling memories of what it was like to have the Grim Reaper have one hand around his throat and feel the other hand closing in, and he told me, “When we got together, I sort of felt like I was looking at myself, and that I now know what people feel when they look at me. For a long time, it was day to day, week to week. I made it.”

Buck Briggs and his “old friend” Rod Carew (Photo: Provided)

The Talk at

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Endorsing Josh Riley

Iwill be voting for Josh Riley in the August 23 Democratic Primary for the 19th Congressional District. His opinion piece, “A Plan of Action to Restore and Protect Reproductive Justice for Women” which ran in the July 13 [Ithaca] Times, demonstrates why he will make a great Congressman. Josh is right on this issue as well as on the bread-and-butter issues facing us all. He learned about them first hand growing up in working class Endicott. His “Plan” shows that he will be a practical problem-solver based on his previous experience in Congress, his professional knowledge of the law, and his having already worked in a bi-partisan fashion with folks from all parties and walks of life. In short, when Josh is elected, he will hit the ground running. For the best interests of us in the new 19th CD and for the country, please join me in voting for Josh in August and again in November.

Joseph M. Wilson, Dryden Endorsing Leslie Danks Burke

New York women do not face an abysmal future in which abortion is illegal and only women with the financial and social resources to travel to another state can obtain a safe and legal abortion. They retain this right in large part thanks to the efforts of women like Leslie Danks Burke, candidate for the NY 52nd State Senate seat which includes Tompkins County.

Leslie has always been there. The persistent lobbying she and other reproductive rights activists carried on for years played an enormous role in securing the 2017 passage of the NY Women’s Reproductive Health Act. Well before her current campaign, Leslie demanded a constitutional amendment guaranteeing New Yorkers a right to abortion.

I urge you to join me in voting for Leslie Danks Burke in the NY State Democratic primary on August 23rd. Nick Salvatore, Ithaca

SURROUNDED BY REALITY

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I supposed to get bail money if I can’t ply my trade? It’s not fair! e system is rigged!

JUDGE CORNSTARCH: Mr. Whipsnade, instruct your client...damn it! Baili , please retrieve my gavel from Mr. Fagin. Again. (rubbing wrist) See if he has my watch, too.

BAILIFF: (a er searching the defendant) Gavel, sir, and your watch. Also, my handcu s and the stenographer’s wedding ring. Plus two wallets, a tape dispenser, the name plate from your chambers, and Mr. Whipsnade’s iPhone.

WHIPSNADE: My phone!

JUDGE CORNSTARCH: Let the record so re ect. Ms. Clark, you know as well as I that New York State law requires that Mr. Fagin be released on his own recognizance for non-violent felonies. So ordered. My hands are tied in this matter. He’s free to go. On an unrelated note before the next case...has anybody seen my car keys?

GUEST EDITORIAL

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by boyfriends, parents, or rapists if they try to have an abortion. e doctors, friends, or family members who try to help them or provide care can be sued.

A country, a state, a government cannot function without a ording all its citizens the same rights and freedoms, regardless of race, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, ability, belief system, or any of the other human di erences that make our society so wonderfully diverse and beautiful.

I honor the women who stood up for their rights 174 years ago in Seneca Falls. I also honor the women who have been ghting for equality and equity since then, and those who raise their voices all over the country to be heard. But the ght is not over.

Bodily autonomy is one of the most basic human rights. If men have this right, women are entitled to it also. Without the ability to choose what to do with your own body, what else is there?

Amanda Champion represents District 12 in the Tompkins County Legislature.