During one’s life, the thought of mortality eventually hits home. It has happened to me a few times, but none more prevalent than on Tuesday, August 19th.  Interestingly, it was also my father’s birthday. I visited his grave sight that day, which heightened my emotions, but it was not what ignited them.

On Tuesday, August 19, Carl Yastrzemski was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital where he had triple by-pass surgery. Fortunately, reports state that the operation was a complete success – and Yaz rests comfortably.

I was 11 years-old when Yaz began his career with the Boston Red Sox in 1961. He took over guarding the Green Monster at Fenway Park from Red Sox icon Ted Williams, “the greatest hitter who ever lived.” While my Sox fanhood began in the mid 1950s, it was those early Yaz-years that I best remember, as my love for baseball took shape in the 60s.

Yaz wasn’t my favorite player. That distinction belonged to Tony Conigliaro, who joined the Sox in 1964. However, Yaz was the leader of the Sox – and it was he that should be credited with founding what today is called Red Sox Nation.

It was 1967, Boston’s “Impossible Dream” year. It forever changed the Red Sox organization. Yastrzemski had one of the great years in Major League Baseball history. He won the American League MVP and the Triple Crown. It was a season I will always remember. It was also the year we got our first color television! My brother and I talked my Dad into buying a color TV for the World Series – arguably the greatest World Series ever played.

So when thoughts of mortality hit, it isn’t always a bad thing. Thought of mortality is really remembrance of life. Yaz and baseball played a big role in my early years. It brought back some fond memories.

Be well Yaz