I was 10, maybe 9, when I first met Josh. We attended the same church, but he’s a couple years younger so we were never in the same Sunday school class until our high school years. Our parents were friends and we were eating together when I learned that the Royals were his favorite baseball team, too. At this age, I had only lived in Springfield for a couple years. Besides my family, I didn’t know any other Royals fans in Springfield and here was one almost my age at my church.
So started a friendship that has spanned decades.
I remember spending the night at Josh’s house watching the Dodgers and A’s in the 1988 World Series together. As soon as Kirk Gibson was announced as a pinch-hitter, Josh predicted a home run. As Gibson fist-pumped rounding second, Josh and I were jumping and high-fiving in his living room. We celebrated that home run into the wee hours of the morning.
A couple years later, we took a day trip to KC to watch the Royals play and witnessed Jack Morris unintentionally bean Kevin Seitzer. It was terrifying seeing Seitzer knocked unconscious, laying down motionless by home plate. Since his 200-plus hit rookie season, Seitzer has long been one of my favorite ballplayers. While writing my first book, I met and interviewed Seitzer and told him I saw that beaning. After describing the horrors of being hit by the pitch and the prayers needed for recovery, Seitzer said something along the lines of, “Well, at least you got to see Bo hit a home run.”
“I remember that home run,” Josh said.
By sheer coincidence, we even had the same glove: a Wilson George Brett-autographed model.
“Mine was stolen in high school,” said Josh.
I’m still using mine, even with its broken lace.
On the hottest August New Jersey day ever in the summer of 2002, I even officiated Josh’s wedding. The outdoor ceremony only lasted 10 minutes; I thought I was going to pass out.
After telling him that Jamie and I celebrated our 21st anniversary this year, Josh asked, “When did we get old?”
It was a blast sharing the successes of the Royals in 2014 and 2015. Texts and emails and Facebook pictures and tailgates and souvenirs galore.
“I have no idea the last time I even threw a baseball,” Josh said.
We met at Fassnight Field and between a stiff back and frozen fingers, it took forever for me to get my body to throw a ball straight.
When Josh planted his foot on first base and started throwing me grounders into the hole at shortstop, I eventually found a groove.
“I should have clocked you,” he said. “Some of those had zip on ‘em.”
I am confident none of them would have earned a speeding ticket on the interstate or the highway. Probably not even in a school zone.
Josh is a lawyer and has a brilliant mind and generous heart. He’s starting a new baseball-related non-profit organization.
All Access to Baseball.
“We do a disservice to these young ballplayers in the minor leagues chasing their dreams, leaving so many of them behind because they can’t support their families. When you add up the time, they aren’t even making $5 an hour. I’ve heard stories of them auctioning off autographed baseballs to help teammates buy diapers. The simple idea for the non-profit is this: Players are represented by agents. Instead of an agent getting wealthy off the player, putting the money in a non-profit that helps take care of other ballplayers in need. It’s been on my heart for a couple years now, but I’m still doing the paperwork for it.”
And then I asked the question, “How do you make money?”
“That’s always the question people ask. Ultimately, it’s not about money, it’s about taking care of people. People are always more important than money. This is the first time I’ve ever answered a call that I have no idea how it’s going to turn out. Some things you do because God calls you to do them and it’s just the right thing to do. I keep dreaming and I keep praying and God keeps pointing me in this direction.”
After catch, we sat in the back of City Butcher consuming great barbecue and Dr Peppers and continued our conversation. Of course we talked about the chances the Royals have of breaking .500 this year (I’m all in) and random stories of body aches and pains from growing older (you don’t want the details).
“What about you?” he asked. “How is catch playing making you any money?”
And I turned his words back on him.
“That’s the question people have been asking me. Ultimately, it’s not about money. Making friends is my priority. I don’t know for certain that this is a God calling and I have no idea how this year is going to turn out. But I keep dreaming and praying and God keeps pointing me in this direction. I’m just hoping to make it through the year with no surgeries.”
And then I signed a contract for Josh to be my agent. It might have looked like a simple blue, spiral-bound notebook, but the intentions were sincere.
We both think God’s stirring up good things through this great game, and it’s always best to chase dreams with a friend.
Side note:
Two cool t-shirts, even if one’s hard to see, in today’s picture.
- “It’s a Bear Suit, Joel.” Benefits Noah’s Bandage Project.
https://teespring.com/stores/kc-goddess-tees
- “Wanna Play Catch?” Benefits Miracle League of Springfield.
http://www.phelpsgroveoutfitters.net/store/p154/Wanna_Play_Catch%3F.html
