Wednesday, June 14, 2017

More than magic OSU pitching coach rob walton has overcome a lot to reach his destiny.

T H E O ’ C O L LY

W e d n e s d ay June 14, 2017 O’COLLY FILE PHOTO

Rob walton

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Walton’s tumultuous life led him to his destiny man,” left-hander Carson Teel said.

At OSU, Rob has coached a first-round draft pick, two Rob Walton’s blue eyes conference pitchers of the oscillate between two photo- year and three All-Americans, graphs of a man who never prompting debates about accomplished his dream. whether he has magical powOne shows a 19-year-old ers. who threw 95 mph. The other “If he doesn’t, I don’t know pictures a 21-year-old with what it is,” right-hander Jensinking velocity who relied sen Elliott said. on command. Both show a But Rob’s roots go beyond man whose career survived wizardry. His father’s lesas long as it did because he sons. His mother’s love. The could think as well as he memory of his sister. The could throw, a man who never intuition of his wife. let the pain stop him.

The story of Rob Walton Rob’s focus remains on the is about more than those he photographs of himself. has helped. It’s about the lives Hung on the north side of that enabled him to reach his his Allie P. Reynolds Stadium destiny. office, they reflect only a part of his journey. The room is a Missing Maureen collection of the lives he has As a child, Rob never spent impacted. Images celebrating much time in the Waltons’ family and past successes lit- two-bedroom apartment. ter his desk. Chi Chi GonzaThere was a court or a field lez, a Texas Rangers pitcher where he’d rather be. and first-round pick out of He garnered athleticism Oral Roberts, recently sent from both parents. Bob Walhim a jersey, ready to join the ton’s soccer career began in Oklahoma State and Team Scotland, his home country, USA jerseys already adorning and took him to England Rob’s walls. and Canada. He met Rob’s “He thought he was put on mother, Agnes, at church in this planet to play in the big Scotland; they played badleagues,” son Donnie Walton minton together. said. “I think he’s been put on Rob’s outlet was the outthis Earth to help kids with doors. The Rutherford, New baseball.”

Jersey, apartment was often As the Cowboys’ pitching empty. Bob worked until late coach, Rob has seemingly had at night. Agnes was usually at a magical impact, so much so a hospital with Maureen, the he has earned the nickname older of their two children by “The Wizard.” At 54, he about four years. looks the part. A collection of At 7, Maureen began black and gray hairs pepper to vomit regularly. Agnes his cheeks, chin and neck. His and Bob took her to seven tone is calm, and his voice doctors; each diagnosed her carries a slight rasp. with an ulcer. The vomiting “He works magic with you, continued.

N athan Ruiz Staff reporter @ nathan sr u iz

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

“You can feel it as a parent when something’s really wrong with your child,” Agnes said.

An eighth pediatrician noticed pressure in Maureen’s eyes, making them pure white. She had a nonmalignant brain tumor at the base of her skull. The tumor’s location made it impossible to remove.

Doctors told her parents she had one year to live.

“Over my dead body,” Agnes responded.

Agnes handled some of Maureen’s treatment herself, giving her IVs at home. She wanted Rob out of the house, so he picked up soccer, basketball and baseball.

“That was his life, was sports,” Agnes said. “It took his mind off other things.”

Ill, Maureen still wanted to go to her brother’s games.

When she went to the children’s hospital, she asked nurses to let her help feed the babies. Maureen assured them she knew what she was doing; she had helped with Rob as they grew up.

Maureen died at 13 on Nov. 13, 1972, about six years after the tumor was discovered.

The number 13 still gives Agnes discomfort. Maureen rarely comes up in her conversations with Rob, who was 9 when he lost his sister.

“Almost destroyed that boy because he was so close to her,” Agnes said. “Anything he wanted, she would give.

He’s got it tucked away. He’s carried it with him way too long.”

In 2008, Rob was selected to coach the United States collegiate national team.

Courtesy of Michelle Walton

From left: Agnes Walton, Rob Walton and Bob Walton pose in Stillwater during Rob’s playing career at OSU.

Agnes managed to find a video feed online showing the games in the Czech Republic.

She watched as, after speaking with umpires before the game, her son turned to the stands, where he noticed a young Czech girl who had come to the game with her grandfather. Rob called her down to the field and invited her to be USA’s batgirl. She quickly accepted.

“I knew immediately what was going on,” Agnes said.

“This little girl, what took his eye was, she resembled Maureen. As far as I’m concerned, she was sending him

a message.

“I kept saying, ‘Maureen, you have to help your brother.’”

Rob led the United States to a perfect record and a world championship.

A father’s prayers

Every morning, Bob Walton prayed.

Even as doctors removed half his chest, as he couldn’t lift his right arm above his head, as cancer continued to consume his cells, he found 20 minutes every morning to stop at his church in Rutherford. One day, Rob asked his

father what he prayed for each morning.

“I was just praying for your 18th birthday,” Bob told him.

“I didn’t pray for me. I prayed for you.”

Bob had already lost one child. Rob never heard his father bemoan the disease destroying his body. Every Friday, Bob had chemotherapy; the chemicals cleared his system Saturday; he ate Sunday. By Monday, the former professional soccer player was back at work as an engineer designing hydraulic and pneumatic machines.

“He never complained about it, bitched about it, never talked about toughness,” Rob said. “None of it.

He just kind of showed you the way.”

More than a quarter century after his father’s battle, Rob carries that tough-minded attitude with him.

“I know that his father laid a great kind of groundwork for Rob,” said Chris Carroll, a close friend of Rob’s.

That toughness allowed Rob to leave the comfort of Rutherford, in the shadow of STORY CONTINUES ON PAGE 3

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Rob walton

cover s t o ry STORY CONTINUEd from PAGE 2

New York City. Bob wanted him to attend Seton Hall, close enough for him to go to Rob’s games. Rob had opportunities in Scotland, Nebraska and Miami, but the feel of a college town appealed to him. A recruiting visit from OSU assistant Dave Holliday swayed him toward Stillwater.

After the Texas Rangers drafted him in the sixth round of the 1982 draft, Rob opted not to go pro and left New Jersey to pitch for the Cowboys.

“When he went to Oklahoma State, my husband missed him something terrible,” Agnes said. “I figured, ‘Oh, let’s get him into the country.’ I didn’t know it was so far away.”

As Bob’s battle with

cancer continued, Rob kept in contact. Superstitious like his mother, Rob spoke to his father before every game.

“If he didn’t talk to his father, he’d think that he’d lose,” Agnes said.

Those calls rarely involved Bob’s health. Agnes said if Rob knew Bob was getting weekly chemotherapy treatments, he might have quit baseball and come home.

where I could take it out,” Rob said. “I’d take it out on the other guy.”

A right-handed pitcher, he threw a fastball in the low- to mid-90s with a devastating curveball. As a high school sophomore, he had workouts for scouts at Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium.

He once struck out 19 in a perfect game. The only two balls put in play were dribbled in front of home ‘I’m not going down’ plate. He became RuthRob pitched angrily. The erford High School’s first mound was where he let out athlete to letter 12 times, the anger and confusion. making varsity in soccer, Bob was diagnosed with basketball and baseball. He breast cancer as Rob began was the first member of the high school, Maureen’s school’s hall of fame. death still weighing on the He pitched with passion, family. his entire body driving to“If I was frustrated, that’s ward home plate. His head

snapped with each pitch, his hat flying off.

“Every ounce of my being was going to home plate, and at the end of the game, I’ll live with it,” Rob said. “It was going to go to home plate as hard as I could go. It’s not going to be me; it’s going to be them.

I’m not going down. I’m gonna give it everything I’ve got.”

But his eyes watered as a sharp pain engulfed his right shoulder throughout his first three seasons of college. He thought the burning meant the end of his career.

“It stabbed me,” Rob said.

“Literally, I felt like my shoulder was on fire.”

Doctor after doctor told him it was a pulled muscle,

but he knew it had to be something more. Finally, a doctor found a tumor wrapped in a nerve under his shoulder blade.

But he missed a second tumor, so Rob required a second surgery. The procedures left Rob with decreased pitch speed.

Pitching in the high 80s, he could no longer overpower opposing batters. He was required to command each pitch, working to be as aggressive without the same velocity. Once thriving off anger, he had to learn to succeed through control.

And the surgeries worked. The pain was gone.

Rob succeeded, going 13-2 his senior year, pitching a complete game in half of his 18 starts, one of those

a shutout in his final of four straight College World Series trips.

The domination continued into the minor leagues after the Baltimore Orioles made him their 25th-round pick in 1986. He posted a 14-5 record in his first full professional season, quickly reaching Double-A Charlotte. He refined his command. His velocity began to return. He carved his way through opposing lineups, twirling lengthy scoreless streaks.

“I never went into a game thinking I had a shot of getting beat,” Rob said.

He started the 1988 season in Double-A. He perfectly hit his spots, never STORY CONTINUES ON PAGE 4

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Rob Walton

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throwing balls in the dirt.

Catchers didn’t wear gear for his bullpens. Even as Rob’s velocity sank again, he continued to get outs. He pitched through fatigue in his shoulder as coaches assured him a big league call-up was coming.

He had worked and studied for years to reach the majors.

He was on the cusp of his dream.

But then the pain came back.

Endings

If Rob was in the majors, the club would take care of him. He just had to get there.

Finally, as the calendar neared September, before a start against the Birmingham Barons, Rob was told the Orioles would promote him after one final appearance.

In the late innings, his shoulder gave out. His rotator cuff ripped to shreds.

“That was the last pitch I threw,” he said.

He underwent two surgeries, the first of which simply cleaned out the shredded shoulder Rob’s dreams had relied on.

“I didn’t know what to do after that,” Rob said. “I’d have rather got my brains kicked in and not worried about it.”

Rob’s wife tried to comfort him. With him since college, Michelle had stuck with Rob through the next 2 1/2 years of his minor league career.

During that time, they were in the same place for about three months. Friends teased Michelle about her “imaginary boyfriend,” wondering whether Rob actually existed.

He waited in line at payphones to call her.

Michelle, who worked as a physical education teacher in

Rob Walton/facebook

Rob Walton, No. 6, speaks to Team USA players while serving as a coach for the team.

Dallas, rarely got to see him pitch. He flew her into town between starts, spending his four days off with her.

When Rob’s career ended, Michelle was the optimist, happy they were finally in Dallas together. She told Rob everything happens for a reason.

“He was almost still living it,” Michelle said. “I didn’t realize how much that is to give up what you’ve done your whole life. He never really had a good time to mourn.”

After they got married in Michelle’s hometown of Tulsa in November 1989, they lived in Dallas. Other young couples attended Texas Rangers games, but Rob never wanted to go. He had no desire to be a part of the atmosphere he thought he should’ve been the center of.

Even watching games on TV, he talked to the screen, telling the pitcher what he needed to do to get batters out.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

But as Rob adjusted to a new life, his father’s was coming to an end. Rob flew home to New Jersey to see Bob one final time. Michelle, six months pregnant with their first child, initially stayed in Tulsa with her family but flew east to be with Rob. Bob never met any of his three grandchildren. But he shared a special moment with the first. Michelle took his hand and placed it on her stomach. As Bob felt the boy kick, his eyes lit up.

Bob died April 7, 1991, after a decade and a half of cancer. He was 67.

The work of an artist

The knowledge base Rob built as a player became his greatest asset.

With time, he took a job as a coach at a Dallas clinic, with waiting lists stretched to three or four weeks for lessons. He caught the attention of Rene Gayo, a scout for the

Cleveland Indians. During a visit to the clinic, Gayo watched Rob work with a struggling teenager desperate to make his high school team.

Three months later, Gayo didn’t recognize the player Rob was working with as the same one he had seen months before.

“He looked like a different person,” Gayo said. “It was impossible it could be the same guy.”

At Gayo’s recommendation, the Indians hired Rob as a scout.

“The stuff that Rob can do with the kids, not everyone can do,” Gayo said. “Just ’cause you can sing doesn’t mean you’re an artist. Rob’s an artist.”

Rob spent three years evaluating talent for the Indians, but he still felt out of place.

While Rob scouted in Tulsa, Oral Roberts coach Sunny Golloway told him they had an opening for a pitching

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coach. Rob hesitated. He and Michelle had two sons, Davis and Donnie. Rob had just signed a three-year deal with Cleveland. Taking the job with ORU would mean a 60 percent pay cut.

But Michelle was completely supportive. She often sensed Rob might end up in coaching. Rob thought he was meant to be the best player; Michelle figured his injury meant his destiny was elsewhere.

“He just always thought that’s where he was supposed to be,” Michelle said. “I just always remind him, ‘Well, God had a different plan.’”

The family moved to Tulsa. Agnes left New Jersey and joined them. Rob found immediate success with the Golden Eagles. In each of his five years as an assistant, ORU finished first in its conference and appeared in the NCAA Tournament.

After Golloway took a job as an Oklahoma assistant, Rob was promoted to head coach.

He rattled off nine straight conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances.

Michelle’s intuition was validated.

“Without her support, there’s zero chance of me getting through it,” Rob said. “Things were flying by, and I was like, ‘Yeah, she’s probably right.’ This was my destiny.”

In Rob’s final year at ORU, nearly two dozen of his former players surprised him after a game, families in tow. They wanted him to know how grateful they were.

Rob broke down on the field, unable to stop himself from crying.

“That was the only time I ever validated myself,” Rob said. “You don’t know if

you’re doing it right. You’re just doing it the best you can.

“What’s important in life is not yourself. It’s making a difference, somehow, some way, in somebody else’s life.”

Founded in family

Baseball gave Rob ample time to balance coaching and fatherhood. Often, they were intertwined. He’s one to joke, often quoting movies with his daughter, Cassie, but he’s not likely to easily laugh. Like his father, Rob encouraged his three children to play every sport and focus on the ones that suited them best.

Davis, the oldest, was a football player at Tulsa and now works in ORU’s strength and conditioning department, coaching practices learned from his father. Cassie, the youngest child and only daughter, will play volleyball at Missouri Southern State in the fall.

Donnie played football and basketball, but his greatest passion was baseball.

He spent every moment he could at the field with his dad. He served as a batboy for Rob’s ORU teams. He practiced with the team. The Golden Eagles became the players he admired most.

“I was spoiled up growing up at the baseball field every day, having my dad as a coach,” Donnie said. “That’s every kid’s playground they want to have.”

When Rob lost out on the head-coaching job at his alma mater, he finished second to Josh Holliday, Dave Holliday’s nephew and son of Tom Holliday, both of whom coached Rob in Stillwater. A 12-year-old Holliday was at Rob and Michelle’s wedding.

STORY CONTINUES ON PAGE 7

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S um m er on the Plaza

E n t e r tainmen t

Summer on the Plaza unites Stillwater community H alli e Hart Staff Reporter @ hart_hall ie_

Although many Oklahoma State students returned home for the summer, the university campus teemed with life Thursday evening.

Exuberant children enjoyed the tropical-themed water slides, and a variety of Stillwater businesses promoted their products and services. In the middle of it all, a woman calmly strummed her guitar and sang upbeat folk music as Hallie Hart/O’COLLY a crowd gathered to watch.

Thanks to Summer on the The Stillwater community joins together in Summer on the Plaza. Summer on the Plaza Plaza, a family-focused event happens at 6 p.m. Thursdays. The festivities started May 25 and wrap up June 29. at OSU, scenes similar to this Stillwater. unbearable. Therefore, during cal guests are from the Stillone unfold every Thursday The inspiration came from subsequent summers, the water area. Monica Taylor, a night for six weeks outside an empty amphitheater. weekly event extended from folk singer who invites fellow the Student Union. This is the Brandon Mitts, the manthe last week or two in May to musicians to sing at her sixth year of Summer on the ager of Allied Arts at OSU, the end of June.

Cimarron Breeze Concerts Plaza, and it continues to gain played an integral role in the The goal was to unite the at the Old Church Center in popularity. creation of Summer on the citizens of Stillwater at one Perkins, was the performer at Simon and Eve Ringsmuth Plaza. Mitts said after the Stu- event, and employees from Thursday’s event. have attended Summer on the dent Union was remodeled, various departments at the “We just wanna highlight Plaza with their two young OSU employees wondered university came together people in the community that sons on multiple occasions. how they could best use the to achieve this objective as are making great music,” For Simon, it’s enjoyable to new Student Union plaza and they founded Summer on Mitts said. bring his children to the event its amphitheater space. the Plaza.

Along with Allied Similarly, the businesses because it’s different from an “The idea was, this space, Arts, Student Union Prorepresented at Summer on the ordinary family activity. the amphitheater for the grams was a key organization Plaza are local.

Organizations “I like that it’s something Student Union, is made to enthat advanced the event’s such as Stillwater Martial unique,” he said. “There’s tertain,” Mitts said.

“That was formation.

Arts, the Stillwater Public Liother things sort of like the our first thought: ‘How do we During the festivities, brary and VisitStillwaterOK Wondertorium, and there’s get the community into this University Dining Services set up tables and activities parks, but there’s nothing space?’ and then, “What can provides dinner on the plaza for community members. quite like this where it’s we put in this space that the and concessions in the StuThe event benefits Stillwater totally family-friendly, where community’s gonna enjoy?’” dent Union’s Little Theatre residents who attend it as well you’ve got bands and water At first, it was a process of as attendees watch a movie. as the enterprises that partner slides and stuff. It’s pretty trial and error.

The University Store sells with the program said Kate cool.”

The first year, Summer merchandise throughout the Duncan, the administrative The Ringsmuths and many evening. A different musician specialist for Summer on the other Stillwater residents hold on the Plaza was held in July, and the high summer performs each week.

Plaza. similar perspectives of Sumtemperatures overwhelmed To stay consistent with the It might seem difficult to mer on the Plaza: they see it guests. Mitts said performers theme of showcasing various synchronize the activities of as a one-of-a-kind, kaleidoaspects of the community, all these varied groups, but scopic ensemble of activities had no choice but to relocate and groups that represent indoors because the heat was Mitts said most of these musi- Mitts and Duncan said prepaWEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

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ration is surprisingly efficient.

Duncan has only worked with Summer on the Plaza for a month, but she quickly noticed the cooperation among those who are involved in the planning process.

“Everyone becomes equal on a day like this,” Duncan said. “You just fill in the gaps and make it happen and predict needs before it happens, and you delegate tasks to volunteers. It’s a pretty seamless event.”

To Mitts, Duncan and others who organize the event, the hard work and collaboration pay off when they see the growing crowds each week.

Attendance this summer jumped from 235 people in the Little Theatre for the movie on May 25 to 321 viewers for the movie on June 1, said Kayla Loper, Student Union Programs coordinator.

Eve and her husband learned about Summer on the Plaza because they are OSU employees, but she said she likes how the event includes a wider range of people than only those who are affiliated with the university.

People who are on campus spread the word to the rest of the community. Mitts said social media posts about the event are important factors that draw crowds into the plaza.

Although Summer on the Plaza is family-friendly, those who don’t have children also participate in the fun. Elizabeth Johnson attended with Kayla Lindsey, who brought the children she babysits.

“Anybody could come, and if you don’t have kids, then you can just come and show

each other something,” Lindsey said. “It’s such a central location.”

As he gains experience with coordinating the event, Mitts said he has discovered the significance of paying attention to activities guests like and dislike so he knows what to incorporate in the future.

Johnson said it would be great if there were even more attractions for adults.

“Maybe if there was some shopping,” Johnson said.

“That would bring me for myself.”

Still, Johnson and many other guests expressed their approval of the event.

“It just is the epitome of summer,” Johnson said.

Even with so many people and activities, Summer on the Plaza has a small-town, friendly feel. On Thursday, children laughed and played with their friends. Adults waved at familiar people and chatted with families they knew. At the end, guests filed into the Little Theatre to watch Disney’s “Moana” together.

As families mingled on the plaza, Duncan was there to see the event spring to life.

She said her favorite part of Summer on the Plaza is the all-encompassing atmosphere.

“It’s so inclusive,” she said. “The whole community, whether it’s families with little kids or teens, they all come out. It’s for everybody.”

Hallie Hart is a sports media sophomore from Chandler. She can be reached at hallie.hart@ okstate.edu.

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R o b Walton

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He and his brother, Matt, were batboys during Rob’s playing days.

Holliday remembered how kind Rob was, always taking time to play with him and Matt, treating them with importance.

So Holliday didn’t hesitate when he had the opportunity to add Rob to his staff. He remembered the kind of competitor Rob was.

“He was bringing the hate,” Holliday said. “Every pitch, he was coming at you.

He was no nice guy on the mound, that’s for sure.”

With the salary increase in mind, Rob talked it over with his family before accepting a return to OSU. Cassie struggled with the move, forced to leave her friends in Tulsa behind. As Michelle consoled her, Donnie was left in limbo.

He wondered whether he would be welcomed at OSU. After years of practicing at ORU with Rob, he planned to join his team as an infielder. Although he had yet to sign a letter of intent, Donnie already had been paired with a roommate for the upcoming year at ORU. But Rob, Holliday and his new teammates assured him he belonged in Stillwater. As he always planned, Donnie shared a field with his father.

“I wanted to be him,” said Donnie, a Seattle Mariners prospect. “I know he should’ve been in the big leagues. I’ve always been dreaming to make it for him.”

The revival

Together, Donnie and Rob enjoyed a revival of

OSU baseball. In each of the four seasons they shared in Stillwater, the Cowboys made the NCAA Tournament.

Rob has helped his pitchers to success, but he’s also helped them with more.

“He’s proud when you get outs, but whenever you come back and you’re successful in life, that’s when he knows that he did his job,” right-hander Trey Cobb said. “That’s when he’s finally satisfied with that player.”

Rob has gotten offers to become the head coach at Missouri, Baylor and Notre Dame, plus about 15 opportunities with major league teams.

Despite the calls and offers from other places, Rob is happy in Stillwater.

He has a strong relationship with Holliday and athletic director Mike Holder. He loves Oklahoma State, regardless of title.

“Too many things are in the plus,” Rob said. “It’s not always about having your name on the front door.”

During his and Donnie’s final postseason run together, Rob was throwing batting practice before a Super Regional game in South Carolina.

Suddenly, he experienced the same pain he had almost 30 years before. With his labrum detached and rotator cuff torn, he struggled to lift his arm above his head.

But he finished throwing to his group. With the help of a couple of cortisone shots, Rob threw batting practice through the end of the season.

“We needed to stay in the routine,” Rob said. “I was worried if the routine

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

changed, it would kind of screw some people up.”

As he threw batting practice despite the burning in his shoulder, the Cowboys reached the 2016 College World Series.

It was more evidence for Agnes, who has always been convinced Bob and Maureen are watching over Rob and his family.

“I couldn’t imagine it working out better,” Rob said. “Somebody was looking out for me.”

Rob had his fifth shoulder surgery in November. Agnes worries the shoulder still bothers him, seeing him keep his right hand in his pocket when he visits the mound.

But Rob assures her he’s fine. He knows how to get through the pain.

Nathan Ruiz is a sports media graduate from Reno, Nevada. He can be reached at nathan.ruiz@ okstate.edu.

Clarification: A story in the June 7 O’Colly about marijuana included anonymous sources who were assigned fictional first and last names. It is the O’Colly’s policy to use only one name for anonymous sources. The story has been modified online to reflect that policy. The O’Colly regrets any confusion or misidentification that might have resulted from the publication of the fictional full names, which were randomly assigned and had no bearing on actual people.

FOR RELEASE JUNE 14, 2017

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

ACROSS 1 Wall St. debuts 5 Land formerly ruled by a shah 9 Political Ron or Rand 13 Van starter?

14 Stuffed shells 16 Data, for instance 17 “Big __” Delaney: “Sons of Anarchy” character 18 “Tsk tsk” 20 Hawaiian priests 22 “ ... bug in __” 23 Skating jump 24 Petrol pumper 25 Went for the lure 28 Decide 30 Starbucks amenity 32 As an example 34 “Street Dreams” rapper 35 Hosiery hue 37 Get 38 Stretchy synthetic 40 Inc. relative 41 Ravi Shankar’s instrument 42 How some tuna is packed 43 Swiss chocolatier since 1845 45 Mama bear, in Tabasco 46 Standard 48 More than a few 49 Bishops and knights 50 Animal common in rebus puzzles 51 Permission slip 53 “Too bad” 55 Pac-12 team 56 King of fiction 59 Deep-fried carnival confection 63 Dad, to Dumas 64 Morales of “The Brink” 65 Corn Belt towers 66 Toy brand with a Ninjago line 67 It’s outstanding 68 Small pie 69 Thames school DOWN 1 “No harm done” 2 Baba ghanouj bread

OCOLLY.COM

6/14/17

By Agnes Davidson and C.C. Burnikel

3 *“Regarding the subject at hand ... ” 4 Iowa’s __ City 5 “So not true!”

6 Cheers from tiers 7 Obamacare, briefly 8 Baseball analyst Garciaparra 9 “And the Putter Went ... __”: golf history book 10 “__ questions?”

11 Blur in a tabloid pic 12 Fox Business anchor Dobbs 15 Letter flourish 19 *Like leisure suits and Nehru jackets 21 *Nike competitor 24 *Major-league 25 Bed cover ... or, literally, what the end of each answer to a starred clue is 26 As a precaution 27 5-Across capital 28 How much shopping is done 29 Webpage option under an invoice

Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved

©2017 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

31 Top off, say 33 Retailer that abstained from Black Friday in 2015 and launched an #OptOutside movement instead 36 Flamboyant Dame 39 Cup lip 44 Crime lab procedure

6/14/17

47 Sprawls on the couch 52 Implied 54 Cobbler fruit 55 Foot or furlong 56 Hershey’s toffee bar 57 Thus 58 Flashy light 59 Served dinner to 60 Take advantage of 61 Arrest 62 Menu catchphrase PAGE 7

h o ros cop e

Daily Horoscope oklahoma state

STUDENT MEDIA STUDENT MEDIA AT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY 106 Paul Miller Building • OSU • Stillwater, OK 74078 Phone: 405-744-6363 • studentmedia@okstate.edu

Level: 1 2 3 4

The mission of Oklahoma State Student Media is to provide a professional environment where students create outstanding journalism and help local businesses.

Oklahoma State's award-winning newspaper since 1895

6/14/17

SOLUTION TO TUESDAY’S PUZZLE

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit

www.sudoku.org.uk © 2017 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

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Our office is open M-F from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 108 Paul Miller.

For a free video consultation, call 405-744-7039 or email videos@orangehouse.agency For a free consultation on other digital/marketing needs, call 405-744-4192 or email orangehouseagency@gmail.com

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By Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency

Today’s Birthday (06/14/17). Entertain your passions this year.

A summer surge inspires collaboration and partnership, as new educational opportunities lead to a thriving communications phase. Express your story. A year of growing health, vitality and strength begins this autumn. Winter brings two years benefiting financial discipline. Prioritize love.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) -- Today is a 9 -- Teamwork provides big rewards, especially today. Your suspicions and intuition get confirmed. Unexpected benefits arise from the groundwork you laid earlier. Together, you’re unbeatable.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Professional discipline gets rewarded in surprising ways. More work is required. A difficult situation is making you stronger. Your influence is spreading.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Do the homework for a high score. Your hard work pays off; so get moving.

Important people are watching. Let them see the real you.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is an 8 -- A beneficial development hits your shared financial accounts. Your team helps you advance. Work together to get farther. Love gives you strength.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- You and your partner make an amazing discovery. Plant now and harvest later. Be willing to get your hands dirty. Take advantage of an opportunity.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Energize your exercise routine. Discipline with fitness goals pays off in lovely and unexpected ways. Pour passion into your work. Have fun with it.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- You’re especially lucky in romance. Show how you feel through your actions.

Spend time and effort on another’s behalf. Share your love in word and deed.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Put in the extra effort on a home project. Discover forgotten treasures and unexpected surprises. Restore or repurpose something from the past. Enjoy time with family.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Discipline with creative and intellectual projects reveals unexpected plot twists. Pursue these new turns where they take you. Chalk up impressive results.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is a 9 -- The early bird gets the worm. A bright idea gets profitable. Go for it! Take advantage of a windfall opportunity to gather a fat harvest.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is a 9 -- Your charms cannot be denied. Steady efforts propel a personal project, and others can be persuaded to contribute. One person’s ideas spark another’s.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is a 6 -- Update and revise your plans. Think of how you can take advantage of an unexpected situation. Consider the ramifications and consequences. Insights and epiphanies abound.

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