I was either fortunate, or unfortunate as the case may prove. It was 1980, and we were living in Minnetonka. New neighbors moved in and they had an 8 year old son, and were expecting. I saw the 8 year old put through every sport you can think of, his dad had him in tennis, golf, football, wrestling, hockey, basketball, swimming, baseball, and track. It became obvious his dad was trying to live his athletics through his son. By his junior year in high school the experiment came to an end. He and his father realized he was not an athlete. Meanwhile the younger brother always complained to me as we played catch that the big kids won't let me play. And as he effortlessly threw the ball, I said there will be a day when they won't be able to play with you. His mom was his mentor, and he played T-Ball and I helped his Little League team. He was a natural athlete. On a trip to Nebraska he road along and the conversation was about when recruiters come from Nebraska or Iowa and want you to play for them would you signed with them. He answer no, and I ask why? They don't have Valley Fair. We moved and I got a call from his mom he was playing hockey and would like to have me come to his game. I could not miss this. It was at the Minnetonka Arena. They were playing Elk River. I know nothing about hockey it was probably 8-10 year olds, but recognized his coach as Jim Korn, former NFL player and local hero. The score went the other way, and the parents were irate. Why doesn't he play the best players on the power play, when they are short handed, when the number 1 Elk River line was out there. And when one parent went so far as to say Korn doesn't know anything about hockey, I flipped. I turned to this parent and said, how many years of hockey did you play in the NHL? Maybe he knows it better for every player learn how to play short handed. After the game the kid came over and apologized for the loss. I remember saying he didn't need to apologize, there will be wins and there will be loses, but when it isn't fun any more you will know. Don't give up on playing.
Its now the mid nineties, and the call comes, he's having a graduation party and wants me there. He was at least 6'4 and had played football, hockey, and baseball for Hopkins. Two time athlete of the year, and all his friends were trying to recruit him to their summer league baseball teams. When I asked
if he had scholarship offers, he said yes he was going to play baseball for Iowa. My response Iowa? They don't have Valley Fair. He laughed and said I know, but I did think Minnesota was going to offer. He played 4 years, got married and sells insurance. Two sons, two totally different stories.