Recently, I watched the episode of The Discovery Channel “Deadliest Catch” where Captain Phil Harris of the Fishing Vessel Cornelia Marie succumbed to a massive stroke. I cried my eyes out. There was so much humanity being played out in what was supposed to be just another one of those reality shows. It was real alright. I did not know this man personally, but I watched the show pretty regularly, following the craziness that comes with a bunch of tough men risking their very lives to haul in hundreds of thousands of Opilio crab native to the unforgiving, and frigid waters of the Bering Sea. The paycheck is pretty hefty but is it worth risking your life. Obviously to these men it is. Phil Harris was a foul-mouthed Sea Captain that took the lives and safety of his crew very seriously. His sons Jake and Josh were among the crew of the Cornelia Marie. He said on many occasions how grateful he was to spend the time with his sons doing what he loved. I admired his deep love for his sons, and the passion for life Phil possessed. Captain Phil Harris set sail for the last time on February 9, 2010, at the age of 53. Recently we lost two very important people to many of us that have followed Baseball all our lives, especially Yankee Baseball. Bob Sheppard was the Yankee Stadium Public Address Announcer for 56 years. He had earned the nickname “The Voice of God” for his clear and concise delivery, and perfect pronunciation of some of the most difficult of names in the game. His voice is the only voice many of us remember from our childhood, while in awe of “The House that Ruth Built”. That voice in many ways was more important than the team that took the field. That voice welcomed everyone before the game, kept us informed throughout the game, and bid us a safe ride home at the end of the game. You could hear the history in that voice, the echoed voice that announced players like Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Derek Jeter, and everyone in between. On July 11, 2010, at the age of 99, The Voice fell silent. George M. Steinbrenner III became the New York Yankees Principal Owner in 1973. He took the baseball world by storm with his Cleveland shipbuilding style work ethic that was loved by some and hated by others. As hard as he was, there was a very soft side to him that we were able to see from time to time. Ask former players like Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry what kind of man George Steinbrenner was. He invested plenty of money in these two men that had the potential to be great and were at times. But he would probably never see the full return of his investment. But he believed in them like a father who had an investment of love for his sons. Other stories of The Boss’s charitable nature have come to light since his passing on July 13, 2010, nine days after his 80th Birthday. He was a well-respected Baseball man around the league. Kind words came from all over the Baseball world at his passing, a testament to his commitment to excellence on and off the field. Like us, none of these men were perfect. Cracks and faults riddled their celebrated lives. Some are seen by the public’s eyes, others hidden and controlled in the deep recesses of their souls. Maybe that’s why we follow celebrities, we see a bit of ourselves in them, or wish we could do what they do. Do we mourn their passing because of its reminder of our own mortality? Or maybe the people we allow to be celebrities in our life take a piece out of us when they go. Maybe that is what the human experience is all about, seeing ourselves in each other, warts and all, and respecting who we are as well as respecting others for who and what they are. Obviously, there is a connection to those we’ve never met. They have touched us somehow, and we are reminded that in some way there is a common connection that binds us. We see the greatness as well as the failures and weakness that are all part of human potential and experience. To be “The Captain” of your own life. Navigate life’s waters with your eyes wide open, mindful of the dangers but enjoying the ride wherever the waters may take you. Use “The Voice” to tell those around you how much you care and how much they mean to you. Be “The Boss“, call the shots, but don’t ever forget to listen to your heart. Being “The Boss” doesn’t mean that every decision has to be calculated or practical. Take some risks now and then. At the end of your days, you might just be glad you did.
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