Ron's Baseball Story

[MacVittie]

Ron's 10 minute monologue today about what this World Series meant to him was one of the best segments of the show that I've ever heard. I heard a side of Ron that I have seldom heard in the ~2 years I've been listening. I saw how much this victory meant to him beyond the sports or city significance; how it touched him on a personal level.

When he was telling me the story, it made me think about the 2008 Batavia Muckdogs. Batavia, NY for the most part is a shitty western NY town that has it's best days behind it. They've had a NY-Penn league team there since the 1950's and have had minor league baseball dating back to the 1890's. After the end of the 2007 season, the team nearly lost its franchise due to dwindling attendance. Fans in town rallied together to try to save the team, buying up season tickets and such. I live about half an hour outside of Batavia, but tried to go to a game every week, despite the high gas prices that summer. It was great to see the team improve over time and to get to learn all the players names and keep track of their stats. My parents took me to major league games all over the northeast when I was a child, but there was no continuity in that. Following a team for an entire season, even in the lowest levels of the minor leagues, showed me whole new level of excitement when it comes to baseball. The Muckdogs won the 2008 NY-Penn League Championship, their first in 45 years. There are always a lot of kids at the game, but just as many elderly people, many of whom come over from the retirement home down the street from the stadium. Others grew up in Batavia and have been coming to games for decades. To see the excitement grow as the season progressed is something that I'll never forget. Being in a small minor league park with 1,200 other fans cheering is exponentially better than sitting on my couch watching a major league game with millions of other fans in their homes.

I don't know Ron, and I don't know his father, but his story really made me smile today.

[PapaBear]

I agree. It was one of the most moving stories I've ever heard on the show. My father and I aren't baseball fans, but his story rang true with our feelings about the Redskins.

[NewYorkDragons80]

It was stunning. Ron has really taken it to a whole new level in the past 15 months or so. As much as I loved the WNEW show and the dot com days, his interview skills and poetic monolgues are above and beyond anything I would've expected from a guy who was doing silly (but funny) radio not that long ago. I can't believe the direction the show has taken. They can transition from goofing on Paul O to an interview about astrophysics. Today's monologue was so moving, and just another reminder of how happy I am that I bought an XM unit to listen to the buddays.

[MacVittie]

Another part that I could really relate to is that baseball always gives you something to talk to your old man about. My dad always wants to talk about Melky or Joba or whoever else gives him hope of the Yankees getting back on top.

[Flea_Man]

It was very touching.

[TheGameHHH]

I missed this today and now I'm jealous, I hope it gets put up in the file library.

[Ricky24]

i would love to be able to hear this! anyone know how i can listen to it?

[BMoses]

Click on the "Ron and Fez on Audible.com" link on the left side of the main page.

[Pestz4Evah]

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BTfyVkwKKp4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BTfyVkwKKp4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[Ricky24]

thank you brother! very moving. it IS a tough league to get a hit in. No matter who you are, or where you are. hang in there and do what Ronnie says. Get a hold of one and just fucking ride it out. Wow, just terrific. jj

[commish13]

Ronnie's done it a few times since coming to XM, and it's one of my favourite things to ever hear. The way he's talked in the past, and yesterday, about his relationship with his father, that generally they have nothing to talk about, but if there's nothing, they always still talk about sports -- or that every conversation, even if they're at odds with each other in some way, will always end up going into sports discussion.

That's the same way I've been with my father for years, and I'm only 22. The only person my dad ever opens up to in any sentimental way is my mother, and every once in a while she'll let me in on some of the stuff he tells her. I was lucky to be born with the same kind of attitude and temper as my dad, but with more of a sensitive side that I can actually let out like my mother. None of that was really important to say, but whatever.

But when Ron was talking about how he would always check up on box scores to make sure he'd be able to talk with his father --- it's the same thing I do. Whether I've seen something or whether I even care much, I make sure to know about the sports stuff he cares about so I can talk with him about it. And since we're Yankee fans we've not had a lack of success in that area, but my father has been following Rutgers for like 35 years, and a couple seasons ago when they went 11-2, and even the season before that when they went to their first bowl (the one in 78 don't count), yeah, I was happy to see Rutgers seeing some success, but it was seeing how much fun my dad was having and seeing him express how much he cared that really meant something to me.

We've been going to at least 6 games every season since I was 13, and when I was younger we used to follow those games and go to the nearby high school playoff games (our town was never any good while I was a kid), and just talk about sports and watch them together. If nothing else, and usually there isn't anything else, we've always got sports to talk about, and knowing how much it all means to my father, it makes me happy to see any team he cares about having success.

[Reynolds]

One of the few times the line of the day wasn't comical.

"It's tough to get a hit in this league, but every once in a while you get a hold of one and hit it out of the park"

[nassue]

Ron's monologue was absolutely incredible.
The Ron and Fez show has always been very special to me and this is a prime example of why. The show is always funny but I've never heard any other radio show bring out heart felt and real emotion like this show does. The Ron and Fez show transcends the listening experience and touching moments remind me of my own unique human experience. While I'm not a big baseball fan I can understand where Ron was coming from. The ability to maintain a strained family relationship through a common and special family experience. Hearing something like this makes me feel like I'm part of something bigger as a listener.
I love this show.

Congratulations, Ron to you and your father. I know it's not necessarily your accomplishment but I'm sure that the Phillies victory made you and your family very happy.

[NewYorkDragons80]

Another part that I could really relate to is that baseball always gives you something to talk to your old man about. My dad always wants to talk about Melky or Joba or whoever else gives him hope of the Yankees getting back on top.

Exactly. If your mind doesn't think to your father and his own mortality, I'd check for a pulse. The descriptions he gave were so vivid. When he describes the garbage can full of sodas and beers and those sodas were the coldest thing he's ever drank. You would think that was Jean Sheperd talking.

[DOHO@HOME]

That was one the most touching and rewarding segments I have ever heard on radio.
It made me think of all the times that might be the only thing I could talk with my dad about and he's not much of a talker.
He is one of those guys that you have to drag conversations out of, but when you start talking sports and games he is all over it.
Thank you Ronnie B for allowing us to enjoy the moments that you have with your dad and remember the monments with ours.:clap:

[El Mudo]

I agree. It was one of the most moving stories I've ever heard on the show. My father and I aren't baseball fans, but his story rang true with our feelings about the Redskins.

We didn't have baseball in DC when I was growing up, but we had Caps hockey, and that was what served for my dad and I. Just like with Ronnie and his dad, whenever things aren't right with the family or between us, we can always find something to talk about with that goddamn hockey team of ours thats ripped our hearts out so many times.

I was very happy I was finally able to take him to the Phone Booth last year to see a game (he hadn't been to one since they played at the Capital Centre, where we used to pretty much be season ticket holders), and it was great to see someone who had spent pretty much his entire adult life giving so much to other people to finally have a moment where he could relax and see his favourite team play. I remember we went to the game against Pittsburgh late in the season, and we lost the game late when one of our players put the puck in our own net, and the collective collapse of him and that entire arena was just something i'll never ever forget. I definitely get Ronnie's point of praying "please, let him have just this one thing". I also remember the closest ive ever come to drinking was when the Caps won the Eastern Conference in 1998, and my dad ran to the fridge screaming and getting champagne hahahaha. And I remember the absolute dejection I saw when we lost game 7 last year in OT against the hated Flyers and the hatred in his eyes for once again being relegated to being a bridesmaid.

Moments like that are worth more money than I could ever possibly make in one life time.

[mendyweiss]

Mikeyboy,
Can You Put This In The Library, Please ?

[Dan G]

What a great story! I stopped what I was doing just so I could could focus on every word that Ron was saying.
It reminded me a lot of when I used to listen to Bob Lassiter. You just wanted to pay close attention to every detail and it made you feel as if you were there next to him.

[Philly Chris]

Ronnie was right not to talk about the game on the air. His story was really moving and I think he understands what its like for Philly to win. If the Phils lost the rioting would've been so much worse than it was. Other than a few cars getting flipped, stores getting broken into and looted, a few fights, broken beers bottles everywhere, and some street sign climbing it was pretty mellow. A couple of morons tried flipping a SEPTA bus though and a CBS 3 news van. Other than that pretty mellow

[The Nature Boy]

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BTfyVkwKKp4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BTfyVkwKKp4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Rookie of the year with this post, GREAT JOB!

[mendyweiss]

My Dad Died 24 Years Ago Today, I Wish He Could Throw Me One More Baseball

[JPMNICK]

ron tells the BEST stories when he is serious. he paints the best pictures with the small details

[TheMojoPin]

My parents are stationed in Germany, but my dad planned all of his business trips this month so he could spend most of it here with me in Chicago for the Cubs' playoff run. Well, that plan quickly went down the drain, but neither of us would trade being able to experience this together for anything. Good or (mostly) bad, this is something we've shared my whole life, and it's something we can always connect over no matter what else is going on. We opted to not go out or anything when the Cubs were playin the third game against the Dodgers and watched it at home, just the two of us. When it was over, he looked at me so sadly that I had to just hug the guy. It's baseball, and it means so much more to us than being "just a game."

[badorties]

my parents divorced when i was five, and i saw my father sporadically at best ... but everytime we met, the yankees was all we talked about ... if i were to ever see him again, and after the cursory catching up, i'm sure baseball will be talked about

but, on a much more positive note ... my son was born in january, and i made sure he made it to the stadium before it was closed ... my wife got us tickets for father's day, and he got to see joba beat the reds -- easily, a memory i'll cherish

i hope i'll have multitide of thing to talk to my son about, but i know there will always be the yanks

my mother-in-law is a reporter, and wrote the following (as part of her column) when my son was born:

Just as he'll get to know The Zoo, he'll get to know The Stadium.

Thankfully, his parents, despite being reared in Queens, are big Yankees fans, and he already has some blue pinstriped outfits. His Dad and Grandpa will certainly be competing for how much team trivia they can get into his little head.

And he will never want for Jeter jerseys and someone to play catch with.

But the poor kid will be surrounded by Mets fans every time he walks out his door. I lived in Queens in 1986; I know the pain he faces.

i was fortunate to be at the last game of the stadium, and as i stayed after the game, i took all this in and felt really good about things

[patrick187]

Great touching story Ron, You're the best. I think to celebrate, you should buy your dad a hooker over the weekend. Then next week you can do another 10 minute monolog about how you wre touched to see the look in your dads eye as he worked that skull.

[TheGameHHH]

That was just so cool to hear on several different levels. I love the game of baseball, it's not only my favorite sport but to me it's also a game that relates directly to life. There's many lessons to be learned through this game and if it weren't for my father I would have never fell in love with it in the first place. I've been very fortunate in my life, most of all being i have an excellent relationship with my folks. But let's all be honest, conversations with our fathers don't run very deep. Whenever I call home to check up on my parents my dad and I will will do the customary few minutes of catching up with life but every single time, almost on cue, the lul in the conversation comes and my dad breaks the ice with, 'So did you see Jeter last night? Two hits.....nice game for him.' And then we go off for 20 minutes about the Yankees. I'll probably never be able to properly thank my father for what he's done for me in my life, but he knows how special our bond is.....and the best way it's expressed is through the game of baseball. Great story Ronnie, thank you.

[razorboy]

What a great story! I stopped what I was doing just so I could could focus on every word that Ron was saying.
It reminded me a lot of when I used to listen to Bob Lassiter. You just wanted to pay close attention to every detail and it made you feel as if you were there next to him.

Lassiter for sure, but Chris Thomas could do it as well as anyone when he wanted to.

[NC Radio Fan]

There is no doubt that Ron is the greatest radio personality I have ever heard. He has moved me with his talk before, but that was something special discussing his dad. I am going fishing with my dad tomorrow and this has made it every more special. (Fishing is our baseball)

[FezsAssistant]

I saw sitting at work listening to it today (on my Inno) and tearing up.
My father took us to Cooperstown. My brother and I were about 11 and 8 maybe.
My father died unexpectedly a few months later.

[AnnoyedGrunt]

I wasn't able to relate to the story like a lot of you, but never the less it was quite riveting. It always surprises me that the same show has segments like this, crazy drug stories, serious religious debates, wrestling talk, Dave's stunts and everything in between.

[vamessenger]

I am listening to the story again...and tearing up again.

[FezsAssistant]

I am listening to the story again...and tearing up again.

Me too.

[hereintheUK]

It reminded me a lot of when I used to listen to Bob Lassiter. You just wanted to pay close attention to every detail and it made you feel as if you were there next to him.

I was definitely feeling that. It was just like the spine tingling lassiter monologues. Did you ever listen to any of Bobs christmas shows?

[Landblast]

I'm into Hockey and Football, Baseball is never a sport that I follow, only occasionally one or two years in the last decade for only the post season. But this year because of Ron, I watched every Phillies post-season game from first pitch to the last, ( lets give me a medal, right??!!) I have never watched an entire game from start to finish ever,..let alone 3 straight innings, and this year I watched every Phillies post season game.

It was all because of Ron, I was rooting for the Phillies for him and his dad, and I hate Philly teams more than life. The games were kick ass, and I couldn't wait to listen to the show on Thur. and hear how Ronnie felt about the win and his father. And Ron's perfect tribute to the game, the team, and his father was exactly what I expected. What a perfect way to express his passions.

[IcyCalm]

i would love to be able to hear this! anyone know how i can listen to it?

Hey Budday(s). I took the liberty of posting it here, if you want to listen:

http://www.jdavidyeager.com/2008/10/baseball.html

I too was moved by Ron's monologue, which conjured up vivid memories of my own trips to the Vet as a kid (including my first ballgame trip by train with my dad). When the Phils won in 1980 I was 15 and baseball crazy, so this was a real nostalgic week. Ron's story brought it home even more, and today's celebration was icing on the cake.

[Dan G]

I was definitely feeling that. It was just like the spine tingling lassiter monologues. Did you ever listen to any of Bobs christmas shows?

Yes and I look forward to re-listening to them this Christmas.

[Liverspot]

I don't want to be redundant and quote a bunch of the previous posts....but

Ronnies baseball story with his dad is pure radio gold.

There is not a doubt in my mind Ronnie was speaking purely from the heart, he really meant what he was saying and thats why it came across as so genuine.....because it was sincerely genuine.

You can't rehearse a story like that. He was truly feeling what he was saying and in free form mode.

The fucker made me bleary eyed but I had to listen to the replay again.

All I can say is WoW. I am not a long term listener like most of you but this sort of programming got me hooked on this show.

fantastic, hope it makes it to the archives

[Boom Boom]

Goddamn Ronnie that was such a moving story. You have made me laugh more than ever and have inspired me deeply with your insights, but this one really touched me more than anything you've ever said. Thank you budday and congratulations. :clap:

[us1087]

It was perfect. No other words to describe it.

[Sharadoc]

I have been going through so many emotions over this Phils Championship, but Ron's story brought it home in a way that no other radio, tv or newspaper story could. I can't even tell my husband about it without tearing up. It was absolutely a beautiful moment, and I just about sobbed out loud when I was listening. Made me remember how I watched the '80 series with my grandfather, who died in 1996, and how much I wished he could have seen one more championship.

Ron is a genius. More Phillies fans should be given the opportunity to listen to this. I plan to pass it along to as many Phils fans as I can.

[Biking Mexican]

Ron and his dad were the only reason I was pulling for the Phillies. When he talked to his dad, on the Sunday test run for the new studio last year, he made me appretiate how much the game means to the old guys. Congrats to both of them and thank you for the great story Ron

[Dell]

My Pioneer Inno has not been recording the first break. :wallbash: <has anyone else had this problem?>

Anyway, do you know the replay schedule for the Thursday and Friday shows (I was on travel this week). Thanks.

[WillfulBoy]

Another part that I could really relate to is that baseball always gives you something to talk to your old man about. My dad always wants to talk about Melky or Joba or whoever else gives him hope of the Yankees getting back on top.

Not me. My dad doesn't follow any sports anymore. He never was a baseball fan, and neither am I, but we used to at least be able to talk Football and AHL hockey when he had season tickets when I was a kid. Now I can't talk anything with him unless its cards or some other gambling. You'd think he'd at least have an interest in sports betting.

[myfriendheather]

Listening to Ron talk about his memories of baseball and his dad was worth my whole year's subscription to xm. Can't think of a better way to spend my lunch break.

[patsopinion]

although this is the second thread about this it makes me want to hear it that much worse


can i put in a request now for this in for best ofs next time

[PapaBear]

although this is the second thread about this it makes me want to hear it that much worse


can i put in a request now for this in for best ofs next time
You do know that someone posted a youtube link of it in the original thread, right? I was going to do it, but he beat me to it.

[Meataball23]

It was absolutely amazing. I know this is super redundant but Ronny B's speech was perfect on so many levels. No one has the range or intelligence that he does. Not to be a downer, but after listening to that for the 3rd time I couldnt help but feel sad that hes not more famous.

I know this is a very popular show but I couldnt think of one name that can make me hysterically laugh, pontificate on science and literature, and get me dusty and make me call my dad.

Why isnt he a household name, or at least someone who has larger national recognition?

[us1087]

It was absolutely amazing. I know this is super redundant but Ronny B's speech was perfect on so many levels. No one has the range or intelligence that he does. Not to be a downer, but after listening to that for the 3rd time I couldnt help but feel sad that hes not more famous.

I know this is a very popular show but I couldnt think of one name that can make me hysterically laugh, pontificate on science and literature, and get me dusty and make me call my dad.

Why isnt he a household name, or at least someone who has larger national recognition?

It's strange but in some way I'm happy he's not known on a huge national level. I think being an everyman who is unbelievable at what he does makes the show so special. Once the media gets involved and overexposes everything, it tends to take away from something that you once liked. Ron Bennington is a man of the people. To the people who listen to Ron and Fez and truly appreciate what Ron does, Ron is huge enough.