Missing the obvious

Yesterday I read with some sadness the story of a young lady who died at a Chicago Cubs baseball game. If you didn't hear about it, here is the story.

Maureen Oleskiewicz

It seems she died doing something she truly loved, as the article indicated she was a huge Cubs fan. And she was at the game with her brother. I can identify with that, because going to games with sisters has been a big part of my life. And it's probably also why the story really grabbed me.

One thing that shocked me was the way it all happened. It seems that when Ms. Oleskiewicz choked on a hot dog, she was so unable to breathe that she didn't make any noticeable choking sounds. Or screams. From what I can tell, she just passed out from the lack of oxygen and fell over. That was the first her brother knew anything was wrong. By the time they got medical help, it was too late.

It's hard for us to understand how that could happen. How could he not know anything was wrong?

But you know, I think I walk around like that every day. I try to care about people - love my neighbor as myself. But I sit next to people at work, at a restaurant, at a movie, and yes, at a ball game...and don't have a clue what trouble might be brewing in their lives. There's got to be some, because I know I've got my share. And so do you, right?

How great would it be if I were sensitive enough to know when someone was throwing out subtle hints that they want help? Instead, I cruise along in my own little world making sure my own needs are met. But that's not what we were made for. We were made to love each other - pray for each other, help each other, listen to each other. And whatever else might clear up some of one another's personal darkness.

Should the young lady's brother have been able to tell she was choking? Perhaps, but I understand how he missed it since she was able to cry out for help.

May I be willing to cry out when I need help with my life...and listen for others who might be wanting to.

Moneyball

Several years ago I read a book by Michael Lewis called Moneyball. A guy I work with recommended it to me for various reasons: It was about using advanced mathematics to make better decisions - which is my career. It was about applying those decisions to baseball - so it was the perfect book for a person who's both a sports nut and a math geek. And finally, there was a whole chapter devoted to the case of Jeremy Brown, a former Bama baseball player.

Great book! I learned alot of stuff that I have been applying at work ever since. And I've watched while major league baseball has been applying the principles more and more. (The Boston Red Sox are among the biggest users of the approach and they used it to break their 86-year championship drought in 2004.)

But I never - never - thought it could be made into a movie. When I saw the trailers for just that a few months ago, I thought, "What?" Good math, good story, but not one that had action or interpersonal drama to appeal to the big screen.

I was wrong. I went to see the movie Wednesday night and I was spellbound. You know, sometimes movies are criticized for changing the book too much. In case, it was the key. Unlike the movie, the story was built around the baseball season and the question of whether Billy Beane's (Brad Pitt) unconventional methods would succeed. And whether that would allow him to keep his job, including how his daughter was worrying about him. In short, the book was about the math; the movie was about the people.

And it did a masterful job of making the transition. I saw the movie at 10:00 PM on a weeknight - a weeknight of a very stressful week where I was exhausted alot. And yet I was hanging on the edge of my seat the entire time, totally absorbed in the story. Awesome acting performances, a great screenplay, and just the right pacing made for a great 165 minutes of entertainment.

Being a sports nut and math geek, I may be biased. But if you're looking for a movie this weekend, Moneyball would be a pretty good choice.

What a night...

I've been a baseball fan all my life, but over the last few years that passion has shifted from major league baseball toward college baseball, and in recent years our local minor league team. I absolutely love spending a day or evening at the park, but TV baseball doesn't always grab my interest. But last night was different. Just wow!

If you are so separated from the sports world that you don't know what I'm talking about, here's a summary:

Link: The greatest night of regular season baseball EVER

And if you haven't seen the two key moments of the evening, here they are. Keep in mind that they happened only THREE MINUTES APART!

First, the Red Sox lose opening the door for the Rays:

And three minutes, later former Montgomery Biscuit Evan Longoria slams the door:

It truly was the most amazing night of regular season baseball ever. Thanks to cable and ESPN3.com, I saw it all. And I'll never forget it.

What a game

My niece Haley said it best in her tweet a few minutes ago. She said, "This is why there's nothing better than college sports. Especially in the #SEC. #hurryupfootball".

Tonight's college baseball game between South Carolina and Florida had it all. Drama, great plays, unbelievable intensity...and we got two extra innings of it to boot. (For details, here's a link to the game story.)

I won't deny the outcome was part of why I enjoyed it. I never cared much for Florida and also the Gamecocks are wearing a sticker on their helmet in recognition of the tornado tragedy in Alabama. But really - no matter how that game turned out, it was awesome competition.

There is at least one more game in the series tomorrow night. If you're free, do yourself a favor and catch it. And anytime you have a chance to watch SEC teams square off, watch! Even if it's a game of marbles...watch.

'Cause there really is nothing like college sports.