Point of View: Spirits Renewed

“I’ve got no one left to root for,” I said to Rob Balnis during a workout at East End Physical Therapy the other day. “First the Pirates, then the Mets, then the Steelers. . . .”

Then, knowing he’s an ardent Buckeye fan, I added, “Maybe I’ll root for Ohio State. . . .”

“No, no, please!” he said, figuring that given my track record I might well be the kiss of death.

That reminded me of Dr. Astorr, who every now and then would come to Wolfie’s Relics slow-pitch softball games. We’d invariably be winning when he came, and then, as he watched, we’d invariably go on to lose. Hughie King dubbed him “Dr. Dis-Astorr.”

Still, given the fact that we were all in our mid to late-40s at the time, it was nice even to have one fan. Mr. Quigley, a St. Louisan, a writer and friend of Stan Musial’s and Red Schoendienst’s who was beloved there, and who summered on Old Stone Highway, was one too, and Mary, who would always say, “Hit me a triple,” made three. 

Then, Friday, the East Hampton High School boys cross-country team and its top runner, Erik Engstrom won county championships at Sunken Meadow State Park — the first time a Bonacker has ever done so — and my spirits were renewed.

I admit I had hesitated — it’s a long drive to and from Sunken Meadow, almost two hours each way — though such a rare feat warranted full-throated cheering, and I’m glad I was there to do that, with the team and its coaches and parents on that balmy fall day. (It’s been 13 years since Kevin Barry’s last championship team.)

Goose shit dotted the broadmeadow where the races began, though Kevin assured me, when I asked if he weren’t worried about his charges slipping, that his runners had cleats.

Erik — his stamina keeping pace with his ambition — won by a mile.

Then came his teammates, each placing high enough so as to best their chief rival, Bayport-Blue Point, in the aggregate by 8 points, according to their coach’s running count.

There were smiles all around then and fond embraces, and the quiet joy that caresses you when you have given it your all.

It doesn’t get any better than this.