Transparent Christian Magazine

Mike Jr. and Noah were going outside to play catch. They had an old catcher’s mitt to use. It’s “circa 1962 Sears”. It’s dangerous to use as the leather straps are worn, and a baseball can come through the hole and will “be in your face”.

Mike suggested that he “wire” it back together. I became very emotional and said, “Don’t mess with it!”

What could be the value of an old catcher’s mitt from Sears?

In the eighth grade I wanted to be a pitcher and tried out for the junior high baseball team. I was so nervous that I threw the ball over the backstop several times. The coach jokingly said, “I don’t think this is your game son.” I hung my head and walked off the field.

A few days later, my Dad came in from work with a new catcher’s mitt and a catcher’s mask.
We began to play catch several days a week. Eventually he hung a tire from a tree and put a canvas behind it. He told me to practice throwing the ball through the tire every day.

He worked as a maintenance man at the Veteran’s Hospital and had a very physically demanding job.

Here is the value of the “circa 1962” mitt:

• We spent countless hours together 1:1 with no distractions. (no cell phone)
• He never complained of being tired or having things to do.
• He spoke hundreds of words of encouragement telling me “You can do it” or “Nice pitch”.
• He believed in me when no one did.
• I was offered two college scholarships to pitch.

Dad only had a 6.5 year education. He knew that love was a four-letter-word – TIME!

Back to my earlier question, “What could be the value of an old catcher’s mitt from Sears?” It’s only a life-time of memories and the ROI from time with Dad!

Mike