THE BELTWAY BOYS: REAL LIFE CALLS

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REAL LIFE CALLS

[May 10th] -- Talk about a momentous month! May brings both my 50th birthday and my first grandchild, Emma Grace. Being called grandpa doesn't make me feel older, but hitting 50? That is one of "those" milestones that makes your foundations shake.

When I was a senior in high school, a fifty year-old parent would have been born in 1924, twelve years after the sinking of the Titanic and five years after the end of the first World War. A guy my age then would have suffered through the Great Depression, and fought during World War II. He would have remembered life before television, and would have opened his Sunday paper and looked at classifieds marked "White Only."

At fifty, I have seen none of that as an adult. Other than a gas crisis or two, and couple of really bad presidents (one Republican and one Democratic), my generation has lived through unprecedented good-times. I had to deal with none of the pain and world-wide panic that gripped the world for almost three decades. None of my friends died fighting a war they didn't volunteer for. I almost feel guilty at my good luck.

And what about baby Emma? She will likely live until the year 2090, maybe even longer. Will her life be more like the turbulent era that my father's generation lived through, or will her life be more like that of George Jetson, who pushed a button all day long?

I don't know. But I'm proud of my daughter Kira for the person she grew up to be, and I'm hopeful that Emma will make a difference during her time on Earth.

Like me. I made a difference by writing about a baseball team. I mean, I did make a difference, right???

# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 4:19 PM

Comments:

Congratulations!!! There's some great Nats baby gear out there...make sure you stock up!

# posted by

Brandon : 6:42 PM

Yep, if you weren't blogging the team would have went 60-100 last year. Thanks for 2005. Now what are you doing differently in '06?

Congrats on the granbaby and the 50th.

# posted by

Harper : 12:35 PM

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Rasner Rocks For Yanks

What was it that Jim Bowden said when he lost Darrell Rasner to the Yankees through waivers last winter? Wasn't it something like, "C'mon, it wasn't like he was going to make an impact at the major league level?" Well Jimbo, it seems like some of your "minor" transactions are coming back to haunt you.

Rasner, a 6'3" righty from Carson City, Nevada, was waived February 11th by the Nationals, just a couple of weeks before the start of spring training. He was picked up and assigned to 'AAA' Columbus. He had some injuries this year, but it didn't effect his pitching. In 58 innings for the Clippers, Rasner went 4-0, 2.76. But wait. There's more.

Pitching on Sunday against the Twins, Rasner pitched 6 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits. In two starts, he's now 1-0, 1.17.

What do you always like to say, Jim, something about "You can never have enough pitching?" Let's see, you waived Rasner, and he's starting for the Yankees. You waived Claudio Vargas, and he's starting for the Diamondbacks. You waived Byung Young Kim, and he's starting for the Rockies. You traded Tomo Ohka for a guy no longer in the major leagues, and he's starting for the Brewers.

Jim, if I were you, I'd stay away from the waiver wire. Seems like you haven't figured it that it's supposed to help the team, not hurt it.

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About your humble host

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I am a 49 year old father of six. Born in Beirut Lebanon, I have lived in dozens of countries world-wide and ten states here in America. Although I was born in the Middle East, I consider Washington, D.C. my home town. I have lived in Pocatello Idaho since 1991. Although D.C. is a great place to enjoy life, Idaho is a great place to raise your children. My kids have benefited from the safe surroundings and quality education we have here.

Two of my six children were born with serious physical and mental handicaps, which has made my life anything but normal [don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have had it any other way]. Kendi died two years ago at the age of 20 due to a nurse's error during a routine medical procedure. I miss her so very much.

After 30 years in the business world, I have gone back to school to get my teaching degree. I am currently a junior at Idaho State University in Pocatello.

My wife Tracey and I have been happily married for 26 years. She is more than special; she is that which makes my life worth living. Without her, I'd be nothing.

I am a religious conservative, but I don't believe that my views are absolute or absolutely right. I come from a land where diverse opinions were silenced, so America's diversity of thought makes it a very special place for me.

I am a lucky man. My wife loves and respects me, and all of my children treat their father better than I treated mine.

I couldn't ask for any more.

My home town: Pocatello Idaho

Pocatello is a city of 50,000 nestled in Southeastern Idaho. Home of Idaho State University, Pocatello was founded as a railroad town in the late 1800's. Today, it is an inexpensive, safe, family-friendly place to live.

My Wife Tracey

Tracey & I have been married for 26 years. Her father was in the Air Force, and she spent much of her childhood years in foreign lands around the world. Tracey is a talented artist. She has won several blue ribbons for her porcelain dolls

Kira And Aaron

Kira and Aaron were married in 2003. She recieved her second degree from Idaho State University and works with special needs children. Aaron attends ISU and works at UPS.

Kendi

Kendi was born with severe physical and mental handicaps. Even at the age of 20, she wore a diaper, and had to be fed by her mother or I. She spent her life in a wheelchair, but that didn't stop her from enjoying every moment she was on the earth. She died in 2003 due to a nurse's mistake during a routine medical procedure. I miss her so much

Kristen And Mark

Kristen & Mark were Married in August, 2005. Kristen will receive her 2nd degree from BYU-Idaho in December in construction management. Mark has recently returned from an LDS church mission and will begin attending college full-time next spring

Kourtney

Kourtney will graduate from high school next spring. She has already taken several college classes. She has wanted to be a mortician since she was 12

Katie

Katie was born with the same genetic disorder as her sister Kendi, though not as severe. Katie is able to walk, even run. She cannot talk but has learned a 100 word sign vocabulary. She loves to go for long walks [I push her in a special stroller] around the neighborhood

Korth

Korth loves all sports, but excels in baseball. He has been on post-season all star teams each year he has played. He spends a great deal of time playing with his handicapped sister so that she always has something "fun" to do

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Big Changes, Little Names

Big happenings? Nah. Just happenings. Zach Day was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies and Capitol Punishment is reporting that the Nats have claimed him off the waiver wire. So we ended up getting Preston Wilson for nothing. That's nice. Billy Traber, he of the tight leash, was sent down to New Orleans and replaced by Mike O'Connor.

That's all well and good, but don't look to any of these moves making a difference in the play of the team. But hey, it's something to talk about. Right?