I remember reading some of your blogs while you were pitching in Hawaii. It was cool of the Freep to let us know that you’re blogging again. I’ve gotten caught up on reading them all now. Entertaining stuff!

As a Tigers fan who also enjoys keeping up with the prospects in the system, it would be interesting if in one blog you could give us some brief scouting reports on your fellow LFT pitchers.

Hail to the Victors!

Cheers, man!

I don’t think you know me, but I have known both your father and your mother for many years. Your father and I both attended St. Thomas High School, although I am quite a bit older than he. I graduated way back in 1965. When Dave Hochman, a friend of mine sent me the newspaper article, I shot to your blog. Mother of God, when I saw your photo, I thought it was your old man. You are a spitting image of him back when he was about your age, especially that smile.

During the 1970’s, I used to umpire softball games for your dad when he coached at Gabriel Richard High School. My baseball history includes a trip down to Al Somer’s Umpire School in Daytona Beach back in 1966. I umpired college and high school baseball and softball games all over Southeastern Michigan and Northern Ohio back in the 1970’s and 1980’s. I ended up as the fellow in charge of the largest community recreation sports program in Michigan, here in Ann Arbor. We register almost 2,000 teams a year and schedule our own officials, everything. I am now in my 36th year of running the program and hope to do it for many more years if I can.

Your father and I used to make weekend pilgrimages at least once a month to an Irish pub out in Detroit usually with no fewer than seven or eight other fellows. The name of the pub was O’Halloran’s Tipperary Pub, and it was located on Southfield near Joy. We would drink Irish Mist and black-and-tans and listen to local performers sing traditional Irish music. And, of course, we would sing along in full voice. Somehow our voices seemed to improve as the night went on.

Your mom used to work for us at the Ann Arbor Recreation Department back in the 1970′ and 1980’s. She was a gifted volleyball player. Your dad coached high school basketball and softball, and he was highly esteemed by his peers.

When my oldest daughter accepted a position with Stryker four years ago, your mom welcomed her to Kalamazoo and helped her find a place to live. Is your mom still a Dean at Kalamazoo College? I take it your dad’s still in real estate. Does he still run baseball camps?

Anyhow, I want to wish you only the best with your baseball career. I think the blog is a great idea. I wish at times I had kept a better record over the years of the time I spent here at the Recreation Department.

If you get a chance drop me a line and let me know how your folks are doing.

Best regards,
Larry Dishman

First off, congratulations on your engagement to Amanda!

I do so enjoy reading your blog. I read it quite often.

Sounds like you are doing quite well in Lakeland. I would be happy to come down a give the fellas a motivational pep talk if you desire. Ha.

We very much enjoyed having you stay with us last year. Duffy the dog misses you very much, as do Margaret ad I. Although your new temporary living situation sounds like alot of fun.

Best,

John,Margaret and Duffy

Learn to love the steambath summers. The weather doesn’t break until October. I’m in St. Pete. I sent a son up to UM and he just finished his first year. He liked the snow about as much as you’ll like August down here.

Thanks for your work here.

Love the blog. Just wondering If you notice an differences between pitching in the north vs. Florida. Ball movement, heavy air, ball carry, etc. WMU Rules!